Source: News24
The Lagos State Government has sworn in 12 new magistrates, a majority of them female.
The 10 female magistrates and their male counterparts join the existing 107 presiding over the magistrate courts in the state.
Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Philip, swore in the legal officials at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.
Ayotunde said the appointment of the new magistrates was predicated on the expanded scope of the magistrate court coupled with the need to decongest the courts and ensure speedy dispensation of justice.
"Your appointment was done to decongest the courts and ensure speedy and prompt dispensation of justice especially in relation to inmates awaiting trial in our prisons," she said.
While expressing her confidence that the new magistrates would excel at their duty having been selected from the best crop of learned minds who applied, she also urged them to ensure prompt and regular sitting at 9 am local time and to now moderate their social activities to suit their new roles.
The newly sworn in magistrates are Onilogbo Adenike, Owolabi Lateef, Adepoju Jolade, George Feyikemi, Ariyo Kofoworola and Olagbende Olanike.
Others were Davies Abimbola, Osinbajo Morinke, Erinle Oluwaseun, Ojuromi Oluwatosin, Dalley Oluwafunmilayo and Layeni Nurudeen.
Lateef, who gave the vote of thanks, promised on behalf of the newly sworn-in magistrates, to preserve, protect and defend the laws of Lagos State.