Judicial Service swears in 17 Magistrates in Lagos

By Emmanuel Awosika

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has sworn in 17 new Magistrates.

Alogba, who is also the Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission, led the swearing-in ceremony which held at the Local Government Election Tribunal in Ikeja recently.

Describing the appointment as call to duty, Alogba urged the Magistrates to be courageous and carry out their duties whilst being guided by the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy.

He also emphasised the need for the newly minted Magistrates not to allow pressure from family and friends force them to make wrong decisions.

“In the course of discharging your duties, you will be approached by families, relatives and friends who will want to seek one favour or the other from you. But you have to be mindful that you are to be just in what you do, no matter whose ox is gored. So, I will advise you not to shun or disrespect them but apply the fear of God and wisdom in your dealings with them.

“The Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy should guide you in your doings. Always be calm, calculative and courageous in your endeavours. You have been saddled with an onerous task and the opportunity to define your legacy while the whole world looks up to you to be fair, impartial and just in adjudicating cases. Don’t let them down”, he said.

Also present at the event was Attorney-General and Lagos Commissioner for Justice Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN).

In his address, Onigbanjo charged the appointees to cultivate a culture of excellence even as they display excellent character and sustain the rule of law.

The 17 appointed Magistrates include: Mr. Opeyemi Olatunde Odufuye, Mr. Adebambo Jamiu Odueke, Mr. Mikaheel Abiodun Adegbaye, Mrs. Olajumoke Modupe Sadiq-Bello, Mrs. Ibijoke Oluwatomi Williams, Mrs. Omobolanle Elizabeth Adeola and Mrs. Maume Oluwabusola Whenu.

Others include Mrs. Taofikat Adedayo Shotobi, Mr. Teslim Oluwatosin Fashanu, Mrs. Oluwafunmibi Oluwatosin Adeosun, Mrs, Anntoinette Oshioke Dirisu, Mrs, Folashade Arike Oshikoya, Mrs. Nafisah Oseni-Wahab, Mr. Ayodeji Funlola Akinyemi, Mr. Daramola Manzur Olumide, Mrs. Rakiat Adebukola Alejo and Mrs. Dorcas Senami Odukoya.