By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The new 2019/2020 legal year of Lagos State judiciary began on Monday September 23 with a special church/mosque services held simultanously at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina and Central Mosque Nnamdi Azikiwe Street, Lagos.
The new Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba led the moslem judges to the Central mosque service while the Admin Judge of Lagos State, Justice Doris Okuwobi led the Christian judges to the church service at Marina.
In his sermon at the church service, the officiating clergy Rt. Rev. Humphrey Bamisebi Olumakaiye, Diocesan Bishop of the Lagos, Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion tasked Judges and Magistrates to ensure a fair and equitable dispensation of justice.
Reading from the book of Exodus 23 verses 1-6, the Bishop reminded the judicial officers of the biblical injunction which mandates Christians not to pervert justice meant for the poor, nor to collect bribe.
He said that just as God led the Israelites into the promised land and gave them the ten commandment, so also has God given a Code of Conduct to our leaders.
He, however, noted that when the Israelites obeyed the ten commandments, God blessed them, but when they disobeyed same, they suffered the consequences of their disobedience.
According to the Bishop, our court administers the law, but God demands justice and righteousness.
“Righteousness and Justice are key instruments of the law, Justice is what God demands” he said.
He said that just as Nigeria has remained together through courage and fortitude, we must obey the call of the Prophet Amos, and “let Justice roll down like water, and righteousness like an over flowing stream,”
Bishop Olumakaiye also said: “Do not be part of lies; do not deny to help when needed even when they hate you; be on the part of justice, and do not accept a bribe or you will be personally be guilty of a wicked society.
“The solution to a messed up world starts with you and I; We should not only administer justice, but teach the citizens of their rights and duties by putting them on the part of justice and fairness”,he said.
Olumakaiye bemoaned the spate of drug abuse by the youths, adding that righteousness and Justice demands that employment be provided for the teaming youths.
According to him, to ensure peace, we must practice self sacrifice, and tolerate the views of others, adding that judicial officers are the link between government, the law and the people.
He, therefore, urged judges and Magistrates to see their profession as a ministry, and interprets their faith with their professional lives.
“Those who lack integrity hinder the progress of the society; we must not allow greed to infiltrate in our thoughts even as we begin another legal year,” he said.
He advised our leaders to tolerate the views and criticisms of opposition
“You are the face of fairness in our God given society. Let our faith rock on our profession. We must be born again, born anew” he said.
“Today corruption flows like blood from our political leaders and even
from religious leaders”
“We must not allow selfishness, greed to feel our hearts as we start a new legal year”he concluded.
The Church service had in attendance a large number of High Court judges, Magistrates, two retired former chief judges of Lagos State High Court, Opeyemi Oke and Augustine Alabi.
Governor Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State was represented at the church service by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor Mr Gboyega Soloyo.
