Judges, lawyers and other stakeholders in the justice sector were on Monday tasked with upholding the independence, integrity and credibility of the judiciary.
The charge came from the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the special service marking the opening of the 2026/2027 Legal Year, held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.
The governor, speaking through the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, also declared that institutions of justice must outlive the individuals and governments that administer them.
Sanwo-Olu said the commencement of another legal year provided an opportunity to reflect on the importance of strong and enduring institutions.
The governor insisted that each new legal year is a reminder that while public office holders and administrations are temporary, institutions established to serve the people must endure.
In his words: “The institutions that serve people outlive the individuals who occupy public offices.”
The Lagos State helmsman noted that the legacy of his administration should not be measured solely by roads, infrastructure and completed projects, but also by the strength of institutions it had supported, public confidence and systems established for future generations.
The governor maintained that the judiciary occupied a special position in this regard, stressing that a thriving economy required more than sound policies and physical infrastructure.
While calling on citizens and businesses to have confidence that their rights would be protected, contractual disputes could be resolved, the rule of law would be upheld and everyone, regardless of status, would have access to justice, the governor noted that “For Lagos, with its enormous population, vibrant economy and complex social dynamics, this assurance is particularly important.”
The effectiveness of the justice system, the governor said, has implications beyond the courtroom, affecting the protection of citizens, business investments, economic activities and public confidence in government.
Sanwo-Olu, therefore, assured that the Lagos State Government would continue to fulfil its constitutional responsibilities by supporting initiatives aimed at improving access to justice, strengthening the administration of justice and making the justice system more responsive to the needs of the people.
“The ultimate strength of justice rests on the people who administer it. It rests on integrity, it rests on courage, it rests on kindness and effort. It rests on the willingness to do what is right, even when it is difficult,” he said.
He urged members of the judiciary and the legal profession to recognise that administrations would change, challenges would evolve and office holders would eventually leave, but the institution of justice must remain independent and uncompromised.
The governor posited that the commitment of the justice system to truth, fairness and the rule of law must remain constant irrespective of changes in personalities or government.
“Our duty, therefore, is not merely to preserve the institution of justice for our time, but to strengthen it for generations yet unborn,” he said.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, who represented the state’s Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, at the Lagos Central Mosque, maintained that an effective justice system was essential to sustaining the rule of law, protecting rights and supporting Lagos’ economic development.
Pedro argued that the government would continue to invest in justice-sector infrastructure, professional development and measures to expand access to justice.
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, pledged that judges and magistrates would continue to uphold the rule of law and discharge their responsibilities with diligence.
Justice Alogba also asked lawyers and members of the public to channel complaints against judicial officers through appropriate procedures, while encouraging constructive criticism that could help improve the justice system.
The Diocesan Bishop of Lagos West, the Rt Rev (Dr) James Odedeji, in his message urged judges, lawyers and other stakeholders in the Nigerian justice system to make faithfulness, integrity, humility and accountability the defining principles of their professional conduct.
In his sermon captioned ‘Faithfulness’, the clergyman, who anchored his message on 1 Corinthians 4:2, which reads “It is required of stewards that one be found faithful,” told the members of the Bench and Bar that the commencement of a new legal year should not be viewed merely as the beginning of another cycle of professional activities, but as an opportunity to reflect on the responsibilities attached to the administration and practice of law.
According to the Diocesan Bishop, lawyers and judicial officers should constantly ask themselves what they have done with the opportunities, positions and responsibilities entrusted to them.
In his words: “We are stewards and not owners,” even as he stressed that every position and authority entrusted to an individual carries corresponding responsibility.
Bishop Odedeji maintained that judicial office, a lawyer’s brief, membership of the Bench and other professional responsibilities should be regarded as trusts rather than personal possessions.
Referencing John 3:27, which states that a person can receive nothing except what is given by God, and Hebrews 5:4, which teaches that no one takes honour upon himself except when called by God, the man of God asked legal practitioners to recognise that the higher the office, the greater the responsibility.
The Bishop equally issued a warning that positions of authority should not become instruments for arrogance, oppression or personal enrichment.
According to him, promotion should produce greater humility, while elevation should make individuals more conscious of accountability.
He said: “Helping position should produce gratitude, not arrogance. Every promotion should produce greater humility and not greater pride. Every elevation should make people more conscious of accountability.”
Bishop Odedeji further reminded the legal community that, beyond the courts and human systems of justice, there is a higher standard of accountability before God.
“There is a judge above every judge. There is an authority above every authority,” he said, as he explained that while lawyers, judges and other professionals are accountable to institutions and the public, they are ultimately accountable to God.
Citing Psalm 75:7, which states that God is the judge who puts one down and exalts another, the Bishop warned that divine judgment cannot be manipulated through technicalities, appearances or human influence.
“God cannot be manipulated, He cannot be intimidated, He cannot be bribed, He cannot be deceived by appearances, He cannot be confused by technicalities,” he said.
A lawyer, the clergyman said, may present a successful argument in court and win a case, but that victory should not come at the expense of personal integrity.
He warned that “A person may win the case and still lose his integrity,” but added that God sees beyond the evidence presented in court to the motives, intentions and actions behind them, urging members of the legal profession to avoid manipulating evidence or allowing personal interests to influence their professional decisions.
The Bishop stressed the importance of impartial justice, particularly in dealing with people from different social and economic backgrounds.
The man of God urged lawyers and judicial officers not to oppress the poor or favour the rich, but to uphold justice without discrimination.
He equally issued a warning that professional competence without conscience could become dangerous.
According to him, “A powerful advocate without conscience can turn the law into instruments of oppression.”
Therefore, the man of God urged legal luminaries to maintain unquestionable character as they begin the new legal year.
The minister of God also took the opportunity to remind the gathering that professional positions and achievements are temporary, while reputation and character can endure beyond a person’s tenure in office.
Bishop Odedeji said members of the legal profession should not measure success solely by the positions they have attained, the number of cases handled, wealth accumulated or professional recognition received.
He urged them instead to measure success by their faithfulness to justice, truth and conscience.
The Diocesan Bishop posited that “Do not measure success by the position you have attained in life. Scripture measures success by faithfulness.
“Be faithful to the truth, even when the truth is inconvenient. Be faithful to justice, even when the charge for justice is costly. Be faithful to your conscience. Do not be silenced because of a temporary gain.”
At the Central Mosque, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaiman Abu-Nolla, urged judges, magistrates, lawyers and public officials to make justice, fairness and accountability the foundation of their responsibilities.
In his lecture, Prof Saheed Timehin similarly cautioned against selective justice, saying the law must apply equally irrespective of wealth, influence, religion or social standing.
He said the true test of justice was how those who could not offer any personal benefit were treated.
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