Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke was sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State by the Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode. He charged her to discharge her duties with exemplary wisdom, and integrity.
Hon. Justice Oke, who was appointed to the bench of the State High Court about twenty years ago, is taking over from Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade who retired on September 24, 2017 having attained the statutory retirement age of 65.
Speaking at Lagos House in Ikeja while performing the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Ambode said the appointment of Justice Oke as the acting CJ of the State was in line with judicial precedence and the long-aged tradition of succession by seniority on the bench.
He said while the State awaits the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), he considered it expedient to administer oath of office on Justice Oke in acting capacity without delay to avoid a vacuum in the leadership of the State Judiciary.
He said: “Over the years, the Lagos State Judiciary has been a beacon of promise for Nigeria as a whole given its reputation for intellectual judicial pronouncements that have stood the test of time at our Appellate Courts.
“I am therefore confident that as you take up the leadership of the Judiciary today, though in an acting capacity, your Lordship will discharge the duties of this office with exemplary wisdom, candour and integrity,” Governor Ambode counseled.
He said though the judiciary is an independent arm of government, the success of government as a whole lies in collaboration and inter-dependence of the three arms of government which must be actualized without inhibiting the independent discharge of the functions of all.