The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, on Friday inaugurated two panels of the Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal ahead of the forthcoming local council elections in the state.
The tribunal, which has been split into two divisions—Lagos Island and Ikeja—will adjudicate on post-election matters arising from the polls.
The Lagos Island Panel is chaired by Justice Taofikat Oyinkan-Abdullahi (Rtd) and includes Chief Magistrates Micheal Olubi, Olaitan Ajayi, Salamah Matepo, and Hotepo Lazarus.
The Ikeja Panel, led by Justice Sherifah Solebo (Rtd), comprises Chief Magistrates Davies Rasak, Oluwatosin Fowowe-Erusiafe, Adepeju Odusanya, and Lynda Balogun.
Speaking at the inauguration held at the Ikeja High Court Conference Room, Justice Alogba charged the members to carry out their duties with integrity, fairness, and strict adherence to the law.
He highlighted the 2016 Amendment to the Lagos State Local Government Law, which mandates a strict timeframe for handling election petitions, warning that any decision outside that window would be rendered null and void.
“You must act strictly within the purview of the law,” Justice Alogba said. “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.”
Also addressing the tribunal members, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, described the appointments as a call to service in defence of democracy and the rule of law.
“This is not just a legal duty, but a moral obligation to the state and humanity,” Pedro stated. “You are expected to ensure credibility in the electoral process by eliminating any perception that the courts are used to determine winners outside the will of the people.”
The panels will begin sittings immediately after the elections, to ensure prompt resolution of any disputes.
Reporting by Wahab Akinlade