Justice Alogba Inaugurates Election Appeal Tribunals, Urges Panels to Serve Justice Without Fear or Favour
Bisi Akingbade
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, today inaugurated two panels of the Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal in preparation for the upcoming council elections across the state.
This newly constituted tribunals are split into two divisions and will sit in Lagos Island and Ikeja respectively.with each panel comprising four seasoned Chief Magistrates and is chaired by a respected retired High Court judge.
The Lagos Island Panel will be headed by Justice Taofikat Oyinkan Abdullahi (Rtd), others includes Magistrates Micheal Olubi, Olaitan Ajayi, Salamah Matepo, and Hotepo Lazarus.
While the Ikeja Panel will be chaired by Justice Sherifah Solebo (Rtd) and will work alongside Magistrates Davies Rasak, Oluwatosin Fowowe-Erusiafe, Adepeju Odusanya, and Lynda Balogun.
While speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at the Ikeja High Court Conference Room, Justice Alogba charged members of the panels to uphold the highest standards of integrity, impartiality, and adherence to the law in their adjudication of election-related disputes.
He specifically reminded them of the provisions of the 2016 Amendment to the Lagos State Local Government Law, particularly the strict time limits for deciding election petitions.
“Any decision or action taken outside the legally prescribed time frame is a nullity and of no legal effect,” Alogba warned, urging the panelists to maintain professionalism and fidelity to the rule of law.
"You must act strictly within the purview of the law. I appointed you because of the confidence I have in your experience, character, and judgment. This is a call to serve justice without fear or favour,” he stated.
Also speaking at the event, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, said the panelists' role is not merely legal, but also a moral responsibility to safeguard democracy.
“You are expected to ensure the integrity of the electoral process by dispelling any perception that the judiciary can be used to alter the will of the people,” Pedro said.
The two panels are expected to begin sittings immediately after the conclusion of the July 12 local government elections across the state.
