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Fashola Swears In Justice Akande As 13th Chief Judge Of Lagos State
• Calls on judges, legal practitioners to protect the integrity of the courts

Sep 8, 2009 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Tuesday formally swore in Justice Inumidun Akande as the 13th Chief Judge of Lagos State with a call on members of the legal profession to stand up and protect the integrity of the courts.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at the Adeyemo-Bero Auditorium venue of the colourful ceremony at the Secretariat, Alausa, lamented that in recent times, litigants appear to exert control of the court arena, bringing into the court premises, political supporters and photographers.

Describing the court as a sacred Constitutional institution that holds any society together, the Governor warned, “The infiltration by video cameras, photography and open political grandstanding will, without protection, open our courts to manipulation”, adding that this practice does not conform with the nation’s legal tradition.

He recalled, with regrets, a particular event in court in a legal proceeding involving a former political office holder during which political well-wishers of the litigant besieged the court premises singing and chanting political slogans with women serving food clad in social attires in an atmosphere not different from a Saturday social engagement and declared, “This is not permitted by Law and if unregulated, will have the effect of diminishing the dignity and authority of our courts”

“Therefore, Judges, serving or retired, senior counsels and legal practitioners, regardless of their age and stage in life, should stand up against this slide to opprobrium”, the Governor said urging that they should not allow the courts to be disparaged or turned into “a theatre of the absurd”.

Describing the Judiciary as “the custodian of our liberty and the defender of our democracy, Governor Fashola further declared, “In its duty of ushering in orderly and prosperous society, the Judiciary will continue to be the arbiter”, adding that it symbolizes the confidence of all parties “in the fairness and wholesome sense that justice has been received”.

“The independence of the Judiciary is not only independence from other arms of government but also independence of other tiers of government”, the Governor said, expressing pride that the Lagos State Government has led a long tradition of championing this tradition “by truly respecting the Rule of Law and avoiding interference with judicial activities”.

According to the Governor, “We remain concerned that the fruit of democracy and constitutionalism can only be fully enjoyed in an atmosphere where the court decisions are treated with respect and the independence of the Judiciary is guaranteed”, adding that the continuous reform of the State’s Justice Sector is a commitment to attain optimum standard in the management of its Judicial delivery system.

“As we complete levels of achievements in this regard, we must all continue to aspire to examine means of adapting better performance levels in the Justice Sector”, Governor Fashola further urged adding that the welfare and training of the State’s judicial staff would compete for priority in the deployment of the resources of the State.

He said with the completion of the court automation and verbatim recording in the State, the courtroom environment will be better suited for better output for the citizens adding, “Our key institutions and statutory roles in the justice sector will form the support structure that will allow stakeholders to unlock their potentials in the machinery of justice”.

Expressing joy in swearing in the 13th Chief Judge of the State, Justice Inumidun Akande, whom he described as “an exemplary public servant and an outstanding professional”, Governor Fashola said it is befitting that her long and illustrious career has been crowned by the appointment as Chief Judge of the State “to help the Lagos State Judiciary”.

He said the leadership of the Lagos Judiciary has always been a beacon of promise for Nigeria as a whole adding, “After all, the temples of justice, the High Courts of this State, have been the theatre where almost all the most epic and noteworthy legal battles in this country have been commenced”.

“In all of these cases, a Lagos Court and a Lagos Judge will always be on hand and in court above the rest”, the Governor said pointing out that Justice Akande’s principled stand on the issue of the dignity and independence of the Judiciary is very well known.

Urging the new Chief Judge to uphold the tenets of the profession and the courts, the Governor declared, “Today’s ceremony is not an empty ritual. The oath is administered in public and that is not a matter of mere formal procedure. It is the public witness of the making of a solemn promise of the performance of which oath the latter will be held responsible not only to the Judiciary and to her country Nigeria but to her Creator also”.

Responding, the new Chief Judge thanked the State Governor for giving her the opportunity to serve as Chief Judge of the State. She also paid tribute to her late father for giving her a good education without which she would not have had the opportunity to become a judge. She expressed joy that by the appointment, she has become the third female judge in the State saying she is not unconscious of the enormous challenges which the appointment placed on her.

Acknowledging that presiding over the State Judiciary is not a mean feat, the new Chief Judge declared, ‘I have the confidence in the ability of our judges at the State Judiciary, brilliant and accomplished jurists of high standing. Together we shall continue to perform our constitutional functions, diligently”.

Also present at the well attended occasion were members of the State Executive Council, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, HRM, the Oba of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu 1, former Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ade Alabi, other retired Chief Judges of the State and Justices of the Appeal Court as well as numerous other legal luminaries, traditional rulers, top government functionaries and family members of the Chief Judge.