On June 10, Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba became Lagos State Acting Chief Judge following the retirement of Justice Opeyemi Oke. ADEBISI ONANUGA reports
Judiciary career
Justice Alogba was appointed a Judge of the High Court of Lagos State in July 1996. Before his new appointment, he has served the Lagos State Judiciary in various capacities in various Divisions of the High Court of Lagos State.
Until his appointment, Justice Alogba was the Administrative Judge (Lagos Judicial Division) for the period, last October to June, this year. Before moving to Lagos Division of the state Judiciary, he was the Administrative Judge (Ikeja Judicial Division) between October 2014 till October 2017.
He served as Chairman, High Court procedure Rules Review Committee last year.
In 2016, Justice Alogba was appointed Chairman, Bayelsa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal .
The acting CJ was Chairman, Kebbi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in 2016. He was also Chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal (Panel IV).
Also in 2015, he was appointed Chairman, Lagos Settlement Week, a position he holds to date.
His other appointments include member, High Court of Lagos State Civil Procedure Rules Review Committee in 2012.
He was Chairman, Judicial Commission of Inquiry for Kwande/Ukum Local Government Areas political disturbances, Benue State which sat between May and October, 2004.
For the period between 2005 and 2014, he was Chairman, Lagos State Hajj Tribunal and member, Lagos State Local government Election Petitions (Appeal Tribunal) in 2009.
Others
Justice Alogba began his working career as a tutor at Ikorodu High School, Ikorodu, from August 1977 to November 1977. He also taught Law at the Federal Polytechnic Idah, Benue State as a part time lecturer from November, 1981 to August, 1982.
He served as a State Counsel at the Federal Ministry of Justice, Marina, Lagos in the Mercantile and Industrial Law Division from November, 1981 to March, 1983.
He joined the Law Firm of Tayo Adesanya & Co (Solicitors) as a Junior Counsel from April 1983 to May 1984. His Principal was Dr. Michael O. A.desanya of blessed memory.
His Lordship also taught Law courses at the Lagos State College of Science and Technology, Isolo (now Lagos State Polytechnic) from September 1983 to September 1984.
He joined the law firm of Babatunde Olushola Benson Law Office, Surulere, Lagos from June 1984 to December 1991 as an Associate Counsel, his Principal was Chief Benson (SAN).
Thereafter he established his Law firm, Lanre Alogba & Co, a firm of Legal Practitioners and Consultants in February, 1992.
Courses attended
The actin CJ has attended many local and international professional courses prior to his becoming the Chief Judge and they include: All Nigeria Judges Conferences 2001, 2005; Judicial Exchange Programme, London 2007; National Seminar on Banking and Allied Matters for Judges (NJI/CIBN) 2003; Workshop Organised by National Centre for State Courts International Programmes on Case Management and Court Administration June 2001; Arbitration and Disputes Resolution Workshop by Lagos Multidoor Courthouse/Negotiation and Conflict Management Group March 2003; Lagos State Government Computer Basics and Microsoft Office 2003.
Others are Workshop on Administration of Criminal Justice Law-Lagos State 2008 – 2009; Fast Track Courts Workshop 2008 – 2009; Workshop for Judges on Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms – at the Lagos Multidoor Court House 2009 – 2010; National Conference on Election Petition Tribunals and Appeals – at the Court of Appeal and International Foundation for Electoral System – March, 2016; Justice Indicator Workshop – Munk School of Global Studies, University of Toronto, Canada – October, 2017; Transforming Governance Towards Sustaining A Unified Public Service – Dubai July, 2018 and World Jurists Association XXVI Congress (Constitutional Democracy, Freedom & Rule of Law) – Spain February 2019.
Family background
Justice Alogba was born at the Lagos Island Maternity Hospital, Lagos on April 23, 1960 into the Alogba family of Ikorodu, Lagos State to Alhaji Chief Jimoh F. Alogba and Mrs. Risikat Alogba (of blessed memory).
He attended the Holy Trinity Primary School, Ebute-Ero, Lagos from 1966 to 1970. He also attended Ikorodu High School, Ikorodu from 1971 to 1975 for his Secondary education, where he obtained his West African School Certificate. He later proceeded to Baptist Academy Shepherdhill, Obanikoro from 1975 to 1977 for his Higher School Certificate (HSc).
He proceeded to the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Lagos in 1977 and obtained a Second Class (Upper Division) Bachelor of Law in June, 1980. He attended the Nigerian Law School from October1980 to July, 1981 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1981. He also attended the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies UNILAG Akoka, where he obtained a Certificate in Advanced Practice and Procedure in 1989.
To date, he is a member of Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association.
The Acting CJ’s hobbies include reading, football and tennis ball.
Justice Alogba is married and has children.
Leave a Reply