Unnecessary adjournments will cost you your practice license -Lagos CJ warns
Peter Fowoyo and Titilope Joseph
The Lagos State Acting Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke on Monday warned members of the bar from requesting for unnecessary adjournments, noting that any lawyer caught in such practice would risk losing their practice license.
Justice Oke revealed that Lagos State judicial officers would soon be mandated to sign oath of secrecy.
It was at the new legal year service held at the Anglican Church of Nigeria, Lagos were the CJ warned members of the judiciary that it would no longer be business as usual.
The Acting CJ further stated that all supporting staff of judges would henceforth swear the oath of allegiance and secrecy.
“It would no longer be business as usual because it is a new dawn for the judiciary. All members of the judiciary would from now ve accountable for their actions and attitude.
“We the Lagos State Judiciary are ready to work and we appeal to members of the bar to help us. We say no to unnecessary adjournments. This practice is not acceptable in Europe. We need to build a judiciary of our dreams,” she said.
While stating her vision for the judiciary, the CJ said, “the vision of this administration is to create a truly independent and empowered branch of government by providing a fair and responsive system of justice committed to excellence.
“We would uphold the rule of law in interpreting laws; stamp out all forms of official corruption; make a speedy dispensation of justice.
“Our mission is to work towards a judiciary that epitomizes discipline, honesty, hardwork and integrity.
“I am also using this opportunity to appeal to the members of the bar because we cannot achieve this alone.
“We need you in order to stop corruption, laziness and tardiness because we want to work.
“We are not going to allow unnecessary adjournments because there are certain things members of the bar do in here that they won’t dare do in Europe or America.
“Unnecessary adjournments will cost you your practicing license. Lagos state judiciary is a role model not only in Nigeria but in Africa and the world at large.
“We have sworn an oath and we have members who have not sworn to anything. We want to let them know that every member must swear to that oath and stand by it.
In his lecture titled ‘Justice in the kingdom of Allah’, founder of Jarmaatu Ahli Lali Islamic Society of Nigeria, Sheikh Abdullahi Gbade Akinbode admonished judges to always seek the guidance of Allah in dispensing justice.
Sheikh Akinbode noted that judges must be conscious of Allah who is the final judge before whom they will also give account.
“As you commence the new legal year, since you have accepted to Ambassadors of justice, you must be careful of what you do. When you want to judge, know that there is a grandfinalle judge and that is Allah.
“Before you pass any judgment, pray always to Allah to grant you the wisdom to see the truth, identify the truth and uphold the truth. You should pray to see falsehood and to quash falsehood.
Sheikh Akinbode further said the judges are representative of Allah and as such should be morally upright.
“You are representatives of Allah in the temple of justice. You must be morally imbued and morally balanced. You must stand clear of immorality. You cannot be a judge unless you are morally upright.
“Your conduct must be excellent because when people see you outside, they want to learn from and emulate you.”
Also speaking at the occasion, the State Missioner Ansar-un-deen Society of Nigeria, Imam Z. A. Thanni also admonished judges to always do the right thing when dispensing justice.
Thanni noted that judges who fail to do the right thing will end up in darkness on the Day of Judgment.
