Lagos Chief Judge Establishes Tribunal For LG Election

Ahead of Saturday’s Lagos Local Government elections, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has officially inaugurated two LG Election Appeal Tribunals.
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‎The two panels, which will sit concurrently in Lagos Island and Ikeja, each comprise four chief magistrates and are headed by a retired High Court judge.
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‎Justice Taofikat Oyinkan-Abdullahi (retd.) will preside over the Lagos Island tribunal, with Magistrates Michael Olubi, Olaitan Ajayi, Salamah Matepo, and Hotepo Lazarus serving as members.
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‎Justice Sherifah Solebo (retd.) will chair the Ikeja panel, alongside Magistrates Davies Rasak, Oluwatosin Fowowe-Erusiafe, Adepeju Odusanya, and Lynda Balogun.
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‎At the inauguration ceremony held Friday in the Ikeja High Court Conference Room, Justice Alogba urged the tribunal members to perform their duties with “utmost integrity, fairness, and fidelity to the law.”
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‎He also reminded them to comply with the timeline set by the 2016 Amendment of the Lagos State Local Government Law, which allows 21 days for filing petitions following the announcement of election results and 45 days for the tribunal to conclude hearings.
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‎“Any decision or action taken outside the legally prescribed time limit is a nullity and of no legal effect,” the Chief Judge emphasised.
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‎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.”
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‎Justice Alogba emphasized that their role is crucial to upholding the judiciary’s integrity and reputation.
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‎“Lagos State judiciary is well known for its integrity and as a torchbearer in the nation’s judiciary.
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‎“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 stated.