Sanwo-Olu Swears In New Acting Chief Judge, Justice Kazeem Alogba

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Thursday said he
would not hesitate to sustain the reform in the judicial
sector.

Sanwo-Olu made the assertion at the swearing in of Justice
Kazeem Alogba as the acting Chief Judge of the state.

“We will partner with you and the Federal Government in finding
lasting solution to prison congestion.

“We will ensure we support you in achieving the reform.

“We will do an upward review of the running cost of the
judiciary. Lagosians will not wait for stories; we must kick the
ground running.

“We will work together on issues bothering on traffic and
environmental laws. We will use some people as examples to show we
are serious,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The governor, however, expressed his confidence in the new Chief
Judge’s ability to steer the ship of the judiciary in the
state.

He thanked the immediate past Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke,
for her meritorious service.

Alogba, in a vote of thanks, said that judiciary under his watch
would ensure speedy and effective dispensation of justice.

The chief judge said he would be counting on the support of the
state government in administering effective justice system in the
state.

He promised that the judiciary would work closely with the state
government in enforcing traffic and environmental laws by punishing
offenders.

“I am not oblivious of the responsibility expected from me; I
promise to make use of the office for the good of the common man
and the state.

“We will do all within our powers to support the government in
enforcing traffic and environmental laws.

“Traffic and environmental law offenders will be made to serve
their sentences where they committed the offence,” he said.

The new chief judge added that the judiciary, under his watch,
would prioritise staff welfare and fight against corruption.

“I pledge to ensure speedy and effective dispensation, zero
tolerance for corruption and corruption tendency.

“We will pursue the use of information technology and dwell on
staff welfare. We pledge our support for the administration,”
Alogba said.

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AbdulRahman’s Result: Tribunal Adjourns PDP’s Case Over
WAEC Subpoena

Kwara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Thursday
adjourned to Friday to enable a representative of the West African
Examinations Council (WAEC) to present his subpoena.

The tribunal had adjourned to Thursday for full hearings to
begin in the petition of the PDP challenging the declaration of
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on the allegation that the governor
had presented a forged certificate.

But Waheed Bamidele Amode, the WAEC branch controller for Kwara
State who appeared on subpoena by the PDP, told the tribunal that
he was yet to receive copies of the subpoena from the Lagos
headquarters of the body.

Amode’s statement led to the PDP counsel Paul Erokoro (SAN)
requesting the tribunal to stand down the case for Amode to present
evidence of the subpoena and that he had been asked to represent
the examination body.

Counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Rowland Otaru objected to the application, insisting that it
amounted to needless waste of time by the petitioners.

Otaru said the petitioners had nearly three weeks since the
tribunal adjourned to get the WAEC representative to appear before
the tribunal to prove its case but waited till June 9 to serve the
subpoena.

Otaru suggested that the petitioners ought to call another
witness if it has a case to prove rather than ask for any
adjournment.

Counsel to AbdulRazaq, Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN) and that of the All
Progressives Congress (APC) Akin Olujimi aligned with the INEC’s
position, insisting the application was strange.

The tribunal, however, granted the application, saying the
petitioners were still within their time limit of four days to
argue their case.

Rafiu Ajakaye
Chief Press Secretary to Kwara State Governor