The Lagos State Customary Court bench received
a boost in capacity on Thursday as the Chief
Judge of the state, Justice Oluwafunmilayo
Atilade, administered the oath of office on 107
new judges.
Of the newly sworn in judges were 19 Presidents
and 88 members, who would be adjudicating on
matters bordering on traffic law offences and
environmental law violations, across the 52 Local
Government Areas and Local Council Development
Areas of the state.
The Chief Judge, who swore in the new judges
pursuant to Section 3 and 13 of the Customary
Court Law, 2011, said the exercise became
necessary as a number of the Customary Court
judges in the state had aged while others had
died.
Atilade charged the new judges to be God-fearing
and diligent in the discharge of their duty, to be
above board and to keep themselves abreast with
the laws of the land.
She said, “I congratulate you on your
appointments. The present Customary Court judges,
having occupied the position and served well, it
is important to replace the ageing ones or those
who have died.
“The customary courts have jurisdiction to
administer justice on road traffic issues,
environmental issues and some other related
offences.
“I admonish all of you to be diligent and
passionate. You must be a good listener, humble,
above board and have the knowledge of the law
of the land. In all, you must remember there is
an ultimate judge.”
The Chief Judge disclosed the plan to establish a
Customary Court of Appeal in Lagos State, where
appeals from Customary Court would be heard,
rather than being taken to the Magistrates’ Court,
as it was currently being done.
One of the newly sworn in Customary Court
judges, Mr. Nurudeen Omotayo, who spoke on
behalf of his colleagues, thanked the Chief Judge
for the responsibility thrust on them, and pledged
that they would faithful in their call.
“I want to thank you for the trust you reposed
in us. We pledge that we will be faithful,
diligent and fair. We would use our experience to
handle cases,” Omotayo said.
http://www.punchng.com/news/lagos-gets-107-new-customary-court-judges/

Congratulations to them.

Judges judging, judgements twisting.