In a bid to increase the capacity of the Lagos State judiciary, Governor Babatunde Fashola on Thursday appointed seven High Court judges making the number of judges in the State High Court 56
Speaking at the ceremony held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa with serving and retired judges, members of the inner bar and relations of the new appointees in attendance, Fashola expressed confidence that the judicial system will continue to uphold the rights of the people and ensure a healthy and fair balance between individual rights and the public interest.
The governor described the occasion as another milestone in the journey to enhance the quality of life of the people through credible and efficient administration of justice which is also one of the great events of constitutional democracy.
He noted that the judiciary is the instrument of social equilibrium in any constitutional democracy as it is also the bridge between conflict and order, the thread of hope to the hopeless and the ultimate arbiter of competing claims.
The governor who disclosed that with the addition of the new judges, the number of judges in the Lagos State judiciary is now 56, the highest nationwide, added that judges in Lagos are always tasked by members of the bar because the most sophisticated legal practice in the country takes place in Lagos State.
While advocating that the case for more judges for the Lagos bench can never be too strongly made as the economy and the population continue to grow, Fashola said: “If we are not to slide back to the days of court congestion, the capacity of judges per litigant must be increased even as the state continues to pursue automation and technology to improve efficiencyâ€.
While quoting from the often cited dicta in R v. Sussex Justices Ex Parte McCarthy (1923) All ER 233 which is cited with approval in several Nigerian Supreme Court judgments to the effect that “…justice should be manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be doneâ€, Fashola explained that what this means is that justice must be recognised by the public as present in the judgments of the courts. Such judgments, he said, must inspire public confidence and meet with the wide and general endorsement of right thinking men and women and not merely the whim or belief of one person.
He said one of the most daunting tasks confronting a judge in the exercise of judicial powers is how to maintain a delicate balance between individual rights, either in the context of civil or criminal matters, and public interest.
The governor noted that one area where this task is more profound is in the area of private property rights vis- a-vis the public interest manifested in infrastructure and urban renewal projects.
“While our constitution recognises the superiority of public interest over private interests and provide for a process of compulsory acquisition and compensation, the matter can become more challenging. As in all cases, the ultimate test in my view should be what will bring the greatest good or benefit to the greatest number of citizens,†he said.
While praying that God grant the new appointees the strength and courage to fulfill the onerous demands of the judicial oath administered on them, Fashola added that, “courage does not mean the absence of fear; on the contrary, it means the ability to continue with quiet dignity on the path of truth and rectitude, inspite of those fearsâ€.
Speaking earlier while presenting the newly appointed judges, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Inumidun Akande reminded them of the need to diligently commit their minds to the spirit and letters of their oath of office.
She charged them to conduct themselves in a manner that will inspire public confidence and erase the notion of partiality of any kind as people are watching. She also urged them to strictly adhere to the code of conduct to sustain the independence of the judiciary.
“I enjoin you to shun every act of corruption and all temptations that tend towards corrupt practices. The fear of God must always be at the centre of your activities, knowing full well that God Almighty is the ultimate judge,†Akande added.
The newly appointed judges are Justice Mariam Olajumoke Emeya, Justice Ibironke Olatunbosun Harrison, Justice Christopher Ayodeji Balogun, Justice Kafeel Omobolaji Dawodu, Justice Latifat Atinuke Fadeke Oluyemi, Justice Latifat Abiola Morayo Folami and Justice Olubunmi Olutoyin Femi-Adeniyi.
The ceremony was attended by members of the State Executive Council, members of the State House of Assembly, Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Aremu Osuolale Akiolu I, Commissioner of Police Mr Marvel Akpoyibo, the Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare and many other dignitaries from all walks of life.
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