LAGOS State governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday swore-in the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Opeyemi Oke, with a charge on her to discharge her duties with exemplary wisdom, candour and integrity.
Justice Oke, who was appointed to the bench of the State High Court about 20 years ago, is taking over from Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade who retired on September 24, 2017, having attained the statutory retirement age of 65.
Speaking at Lagos House in Ikeja while performing the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Ambode said the appointment of Justice Oke as the acting CJ of the state was in line with judicial precedence and the long-aged tradition of succession by seniority on the bench.
The governor said, while the state awaits the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), he considered it expedient to administer oath of office on Oke in acting capacity without delay to avoid a vacuum in the leadership of the State Judiciary.
The governor noted that over the years, the Lagos State Judiciary had been a beacon of promise for Nigeria as a whole given its reputation for intellectual judicial pronouncements that had stood the test of time at the country’s Appellate Courts, expressing confidence that the State Judiciary under Justice Oke’s leadership would discharge the duties of this office with exemplary wisdom, candour and integrity.
“Over the years, the Lagos State Judiciary has been a beacon of promise for Nigeria as a whole given its reputation for intellectual judicial pronouncements that have stood the test of time at our Appellate Courts.
“I am, therefore, confident that as you take up the leadership of the Judiciary today, though, in an acting capacity, your Lordship will discharge the duties of this office with exemplary wisdom, candour and integrity,” Governor Ambode said.
Speaking further, Governor Ambode said though the judiciary was an independent arm of government, the success of government as a whole lies in collaboration and inter-dependence of the three arms of government which must be actualized without inhibiting the independent discharge of the functions of all.
He assured that under his watch, the Executive and the Legislature would work hand in hand with the Judiciary to entrench the Rule of Law and safety of lives and properties of the people.
The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to improve the welfare of judicial officers as well as increase their numbers to scale up justice dispensation.
“Let me also reiterate this administration’s commitment to improve the welfare of judicial officers and increase the number of judges to dispense justice adequately and effectively. In the coming days, we will commission the First DNA Forensic Centre in Nigeria.
“This is geared towards improving the quality of evidence gathered by the security agencies especially the police and achieving a more scientific-led investigation, which invariably increases the confidence of the courts in arriving at a just conclusion of cases,” he said.
Besides, Governor Ambode appreciated the immediate past Chief Judge of the State, Justice Atilade, for her dedication and commitment to service of the people of the state.
The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Adeniji Kazeem, in his opening remarks, said though Justice Oke was appointed based on the tradition of seniority, but that it came with the opportunity of having a seasoned jurist and judicial administrator to lead the State’s Judiciary.
He said in addition to the years of Justice Oke as a Magistrate, she had been on the bench of the Lagos High Court for over 20 years.
According to him, the exposure will no doubt go a long way in standing her in good stead in building on the laudable achievements of her predecessors and provide a platform to entrench her legacy on the sound of time.
“I seize this opportunity to congratulate the judiciary on this new dawn and trust that it provides the direction for renewed vigour in its noted discharge of the highest standard of responsibility and dispensation of justice in accordance with law and good conscience,” Kazeem said.
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