The Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has called for the continuation of the cordial relationship and peace, which he said exists between the judiciary and the executive arm of government in Lagos State.
The governor, who described the judiciary as the last hope of the citizens, also advised Judges to be diligent in their dispensation of justice.
Ambode reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensure the enthronement of the rule of law in Lagos State. He assured that Lagos State Government would continue to invest in judicial sector reforms. The Governor was speaking at the church service to usher in the 2016/2017 Lagos State Judiciary legal year.
The Chief Justice of Lagos State, Honourable Justice O.O Atilade led serving and retired judges, magistrates, judicial staff members, Senior Advocates of Nigeria and other lawyers to the church service, which held at the Cathedral Church, Marina, Lagos.
Also present at the service was the immediate past Lagos CJ, Justice Ayotunde Phillips (retd.).
Ambode, in his speech, said the service was significant as it was a way of seeking God’s protection and guidance for the new legal year.
He acknowledged the continuous support from the Chief Judge and indeed the entire Judiciary in the last 16 months of his administration and harped on the need for continuous innovation in the judiciary in order to preserve the status of Lagos State as the Centre of Excellence.
Ambode said, “The judiciary remains the only and the last hope of the citizens here in Lagos State. Our administration is determined to enthrone the rule of law and protect the less privileged in our society and that is why we’ve laid so much emphasis on judicial sector reforms and we believe strongly that this we can also do together.
“I just want to urge all of us in the judicial sector that we should discharge our duties with the fear of God. In this new legal year, let just innovate and reform, so that the Lagos State judiciary continues to retain its pride of place in Nigeria.
“I want to singularly thank the Chief Judge; I also want to say that over the last 16 months that we’ve been in this administration, we’ve received tremendous support from the judiciary and she’s been singularly supportive and I’d also say that that second to the last sentence in the second stanza of the national anthem that says peace and justice should reign in our nation, actually speaks boldly to Lagos State”
“I can say clearly that we’ve had peace and there has been a whole sense of justice. I just want to urge the Chief Judge and the rest of the judiciary that this legal year, may we remain peaceful. There should be fair justice all over the land and also let us be able to say that Lagos remains that Centre of Excellence.”
In his sermon, Rt. Revd. Akinpelu Johnson, the Bishop of Lagos Mainland Cathedral reminded judges of the high moral standard expected of them, stressing that they could not afford to fail.
The cleric, who described judges as the conscience of the nation, said the need for justice had become more in Nigeria in the face of sectional agitations over perceived injustice in the sharing of the nation’s resources.
Photos at the event.
From R-L .. Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Tunji Bello, Mrs. Yetunde Onabul, Dr. Akintola Benson
Honurable Justice O.O Atilade Chief Judge of Lagos State and Gov. Ambode
Lagos State Council of Chiefs
Dignitaries
By Jamiu Yahaya
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