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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.