Justice Kazeem Alogba, Chief Judge of Lagos State, has inaugurated two LG Election Appeal Tribunals ahead of the Lagos Local Government polls on Saturday (today).
Each panel, which will meet concurrently on Lagos Island and in Ikeja, is comprised of four chief magistrates and chaired by a retired High Court judge.
The Lagos Island Panel will be led by Justice Taofikat Oyinkan-Abdullahi (Retd.) and will include Magistrates Michael Olubi, Olaitan Ajayi, Salamah Matepo, and Hotepo Lazarus as members.
The Ikeja panel will be chaired by Justice Sherifah Solebo (retd.) and will include Magistrates Davies Rasak, Oluwatosin Fowowe-Erusiafe, Adepeju Odusanya, and Lynda Balogun.
During the inauguration at the Ikeja High Court Conference Room on Friday, Justice Alogba encouraged the tribunal members to carry out their duties with “utmost integrity, fairness, and fidelity to the law”.
He emphasised the necessity of adhering to the deadlines set by the 2016 amendment to the Lagos State Local Government Law, which allows for 21 days to file petitions following the proclamation of election results and 45 days for tribunal sittings.
“Any decision or action taken outside the legally prescribed time limit is a nullity and of no legal effect,” the Chief Judge emphasised.
He said, “You must act strictly within the purview of the law. The confidence I have in your character, experience, and sense of judgement informed your appointment. I urge you to uphold justice without fear or favour and resist all forms of bias or intimidation.”
Alogba emphasised the significance of their work to the judiciary’s reputation.
“Lagos State judiciary is well known for its integrity and as a torchbearer in the nation’s judiciary.
“I enjoin you to go out and put in your best so that the results that come out from your decisions will be appreciated by society,” he said. “I am not saying everybody will accept the results. Naturally, somebody will be a loser,” he added.
