Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has announced the appointment of 38 judges between 2023 and 2024 to accelerate the dispensation of justice in the state. The governor made this disclosure during a special thanksgiving service at the Cathedral Church of Christ Marina, marking the opening of the 2024/2025 legal year.
Represented by his wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the judiciary, ensuring it remains independent, well-resourced, and capable of delivering impartial justice. He commended the judiciary for its continued efforts in advancing justice through significant reforms, infrastructural improvements, and the digitization of court processes.
“We have digitalized the judiciary’s filing processes, reducing delays and improving case management,” Sanwo-Olu said, underscoring the efficiency these reforms have brought to justice delivery.
To enhance judicial capacity, 25 judges were appointed in 2023, followed by an additional 13 in May 2024, bringing the total number to 38. Sanwo-Olu also praised the judiciary’s adoption of e-filing systems, which have helped ensure quicker and more efficient legal proceedings.
The governor highlighted his administration’s focus on building new court complexes and renovating existing judicial infrastructure, creating a more conducive environment for legal proceedings. He expressed optimism for continued progress in the 2024/2025 legal year and reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to making Lagos State’s judiciary a model of excellence.
In his sermon, Rt. Revd. Ifedola Okupevi, the Diocesan Bishop of the Cathedral, urged judges and legal practitioners to uphold integrity, avoid bribery, and remain impartial in their rulings. He emphasized that fairness in the judiciary is vital to the prosperity of the nation and the protection of justice for all, especially the common man.
The bishop warned that perverting justice for personal gain would distort societal progress, and he called on judges to deliver fair and righteous judgments in accordance with the law.
Sanwo-Olu concluded his remarks by wishing the judiciary a successful legal year, emphasizing its critical role in ensuring fairness and justice for all citizens.
