Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Thursday hailed the nomination of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo as the running mate to the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari.
Mr. Fashola made the commendation on Thursday while swearing-in three judges of the Lagos State High Court.
The newly appointed judges are Adedayo Akintoye, Olabisi Ogungbesan and Obafemi Adamson.
The inauguration came few weeks after the governor swore in four others. The total number of judges in the state now is 57.
Mr. Fashola said Mr. Osinbajo distinguished himself as the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice from 1999 to 2007.
“The vision of building an efficient and incorruptible judiciary started under his watch.
“I wish my friend and brother, Osinbajo, the very best in his journey. I think all of us here are very proud to hold the torch he had lit,” the governor said.
He urged the judges to discharge their duties with fairness and the fear of God.
Mr. Fashola said: “I urge you to continue to do your best and to do justice according to the law. You must continue to develop yourselves and have thirst for knowledge.”
The governor assured the state judges that his administration would continue to give priority to their welfare, in recognition of their contributions to the stability of the society.
Earlier, Ade Ipaye, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said that appointment of the judges was necessitated by the increasing quest of Lagos residents for justice.
Mr. Ipaye noted that the new judges were among the seven whose names were earlier sent to the National Judicial Council which approved only four due to an administrative error.
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, said that, with the appointment, the state had 41 female and 16 male judges.
“While congratulating you on your appointment, I urge you to see your elevation to the High Court as a call to service. You must discharge your duties with honesty, dedication and fairness at all times, because you owe a duty to God and humanity,” Mrs Atilade said.
She also urged them to shun corruption and conduct themselves in ways that would inspire the confidence of members of the public in the justice system.
Speaking on behalf of the new judges, Mr. Akintoye pledged that they would perform their duties in line with the provisions of the Constitution and code of conduct for judges.
Mr. Akintoye was a serving chief magistrate before her appointment, while Ogungbesan and Adamson were senior lawyers in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice.
(NAN)
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