Lagos State government has concluded arrangement to establish a Customary Court of Appeal, to handle appeals from the customary courts.
The Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, who spoke yesterday at the swearing-in of 107 judges of customary courts, said the court would be headed by a President.
The judges comprise 19 presidents and 88 members. They are to preside in 52 local governments and local council development areas (LCDAs) and will replace those no longer in service because of old age, tenure of office and death.
Justice Atilade said under the Lagos State Customary Court Law 2011, the judges have jurisdiction to adjudicate on tenement rates, environmental sanitation offences, minor road traffic offences, among others.
She advised them to be fearless and dispense justice with fairness, adding that they should be responsible in the discharge of their duties.
“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.
“I admonish 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.”
The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Mrs. Ayodele Odugbesan, said Section 3 of the Customary Court Law, 2011 empowered the chief judge to make the appointment and administer oath on them.
She said the presidents and the judges were found worthy of the appointments as spelt out in Section 5 (1) of the Customary Law of the state.
Mrs. Odugbesan urged the appointees to be “responsible and live above board.”
Speaking on behalf of the judges, Mr. Nurudeen Omotayo thanked the chief judge for the appointment.
Said he: “I thank you for the trust reposed in us. We pledge that we will be faithful, diligent and fair. We will use our experience to handle cases.”
Omotayo assured the chief judge that she would find them worthy of the noble assignment given them, stressing that they would deliver as expected of them.