Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (middle); Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke (2nd left); Bishop Johnson Atere (left); Bishop of Lagos Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Ephraim Adebola Ademowo (2nd right) and Justice Doris Okuwobi (right) during the 2017/2018 Golden Jubilee new Legal Year service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, on Monday, October 9, 2017.

By Akin Kuponiyi

The Acting Chief Judge of the Lagos State Judiciary, Justice Opeyemi Oke on Monday warned members of the bar from requesting for unnecessary adjournments, adding that any lawyer caught in such practice would risk losing their practice license.

Justice Oke made this known today at the new legal year service held at the Anglican Church of Nigeria in Lagos. She warned members of the judiciary that it would no longer be business as usual.

The Acting Chief Judge stated that all supporting staff of judges would henceforth swear to oath of allegiance and secrecy.

“It would no longer be business as usual because it is a new dawn for the judiciary. All members of the judiciary would from now be accountable for their actions and attitude

“We the Lagos State Judiciary are ready to work and we appeal to members of the bar to co-operate us. We say no to unnecessary adjournments. This practice is not acceptable in Europe. We need to build a judiciary of our dreams,” she said.

While stating her vision for the judiciary, the Chief Judge said, ” the vision of this administration is to create a truly independent and empowered branch of government by providing a fair and responsive system of justice committed to excellence.

“We would uphold the rule of law in interpreting laws; stamp out all forms of official corruption; make a speedy dispensation of justice.

” Our mission is to work towards a judiciary that epitomizes discipline, honesty, hardiwork and integrity.
“I am also using this opportunity to appeal to the members of the bar because we cannot achieve this alone.
” we need you in order to stop corruption, laziness and tardiness because we want to work.
” We are not going to allow unnecessary adjournments because there are certain things members of the bar do in here that they won’t dare do in Europe or America.

“Unnecessary adjournments will cost you your practicing license. Lagos state judiciary is a role model not only in Nigeria but in Africa and the world at large.

” We have sworn an oath and we have members who have not sworn to anything. We want to let them know that every member must swear to that oath and stand by it. Also speaking at the event the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode praised the Lagos State Judiciary for continuously maintaining a high standard.

“The Lagos State Judiciary has earned an enviable status for its great integrity. The volume of cases has necessitated the appointment of additional judges.

“We should always remember that the judiciary remains the last hope of all citizens. The success of the judiciary lies in our interdepence. This administration has made foundation for good governance,” Ambode added.

The Most Reverend Dr. Adebola Ademowo, the Diocesan Bishop of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, called on members of the judiciary to put God first.

“The appointment of judges is traceable to God himself. God appointed judges like Deborah and Ehud to rule over the affairs of Israel

“I charge our judges to administer Justice without fear or favoritism. Your primary duty is to discover the truth. You are adjudicators, umpires, and even interpretera of the law and a lot of people are looking up to you.

“As legal luminaries it is your duty to do your work without minding whose ox is gored,” the Reverend said.l

Rev. Ademowo also called for a critical and spiritual cleansing in Nigeria, while also calling for urgent prison decongestion and promptly attending to the numerpus awaiting trial inmates scattered around prisons across the country.