Ahead of the Lagos Local Government elections on Saturday (today), the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has inaugurated two LG Election Appeal Tribunals.
Each panel, which will sit simultaneously on Lagos Island and in Ikeja, is made up of four chief magistrates and is chaired by a retired High Court judge.
Justice Taofikat Oyinkan-Abdullahi (Retd.) will lead the Lagos Island Panel, with 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 have Magistrates Davies Rasak, Oluwatosin Fowowe-Erusiafe, Adepeju Odusanya, and Lynda Balogun as members.
Speaking during the inauguration held at the Ikeja High Court Conference Room on Friday, Justice Alogba charged the tribunal members to carry out their responsibilities with “utmost integrity, fairness, and fidelity to the law.”
He reminded them of the importance of working within the time frame stipulated in the 2016 Amendment of the Lagos State Local Government Law, which provides 21 days for filing petitions after the declaration 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 judgment informed your appointment. I urge you to uphold justice without fear or favour, and resist all forms of bias or intimidation.”
Justice Alogba stressed 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.
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