•We’ll make Lagos Judiciary proud, discharge our duty without fear, favour or affection, say New Judges

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday swore-in 14 new Judges of the State High Court to strengthen the judiciary, by increasing the current number of Judges to 70.

The Governor told the new Judges that all eyes would be on them to dispense justice speedily, fairly and impartially, while also living above board in all circumstances.

The new benchers consisting of nine females and five males are; Justices Olubusola Adeyemi Okunuga, Adenrera Olayinka Adeyemi, Olufolake Olufolasade Oshin, Oluwatoyin Atinuke Odusanya, Olumuyiwa Oluseun Martins, Ariyike Mutiat Ipaye-Nwachukwu and Babatunde Oladapo Kalaro.

Others are Omolade Jadesola Awope, Akinkunmi Olusegun Idowu, Olalekan Ayodeji Oresanya, Mujibat Iyabode Oshodi, Ismail Olalekan Ijelu, Mosunmola Muyibat Balogun and Mathias Oluwole Dawodu.

Speaking during the swearing-in of the 14 new Judges at the Lagos House Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu said the judicial arm of government is an essential element for the proper and effective functioning of any democratic society, noting that without the honest interpretation and application of the laws of the land, society would be open to chaos.

He said his administration remains committed to supporting the judiciary to fully discharge its constitutional functions and responsibilities, adding that his government is greatly fortunate to be an inheritor of a great tradition of judicial reforms and excellence in Lagos State.

“The standards of behaviour and practice expected of Judges are among the highest and most stringent in the land. All eyes will be on you to dispense Justice speedily, yet fairly and impartially. You will be expected to live and act above board in all circumstances.

“In your hands lies great power: the power to punish wrongdoers and free the innocent, the power to send a strong message to society about the supremacy of the rule of law, and to contribute to the growing body of jurisprudence in the country.

“This power must be wielded with the utmost sense of care and responsibility. You must not only be efficient and fair but you must also be seen to be efficient and fair by all,” the governor advised.

While urging the Judges to be committed to their constitutional duties, Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “Judges who take their work seriously can do a lot to rebuild the confidence of citizens in the systems and institutions of our nation. A properly functioning judicial system will also go a long way in nurturing an environment that enables business and investment, and by extension, economic growth, and prosperity. When society prospers, there is less room for poverty to drive people to crime and criminality.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that his administration had commenced the full digitisation of courts to ensure speedy administration of justice and therefore charged the new Judges to make every effort to acquaint themselves with the ongoing reforms being pursued at sub-national and federal levels; be enthusiastic about their use of new technologies and strive to always be forward-looking and innovative in their thinking.