By Lukman Olabiyi
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu has charged the state judiciary to always be the best that can compete favourably with the judiciary across the globe.
The governor gave this charge, at swearing in of 13 new judges for the state, held at the governor’s office, Alausa Ikeja on Thursday.
Sanwo-olu urged the newly appointed judges to be fair, and uphold the rule of law, stressing that the judiciary in the state is excellent and the judicial system should continue on the success it has recorded and take it to next level.
“The judicial service in Lagos is comparable to judicial system in any part of the world. Justice system remains at the global level, we must try to compete globally by improving our judicial system”, he said.
Sanwo-olu said, since he came on board in 2019, his administration has appointed 37 judges, and the commitment of his administration is to raise the bar of judicial system in the state and equip it to meet the needs of the people of the state.
“There is something about the state, we must continue to raise the bar.” , he added.
While admonishing the new judges, the Chief judge of the state, Justice Kazeem Alogba urged the newly appointed judges to be professional in their conduct, stated that the new appointment they have taken demands everything in them and from them.
“The office you have come to take demands everything in you, from you and you must be resilient. You must be ready to hit the ground running. All of you done exceedingly well that is why you are appointed. You must shun corruption like a plague. I will not interfere in your affairs at all times. Be hardworking, be resilient, you have not learnt anything, you have just began to learn. Petitions will come your way. The petition will be your baptism of fire.” he charged them.
The Chief judge therefore, appealed to their friends and relatives to let them be, and not to interfere in the conduct of their job.
He explained that over 300 lawyers applied for the position of judge where 13 judges were required, adding that those chosen were the best.
He therefore expressed gratitude to the Nigeria Judicial Council that conducted examination for the judges.