Sanwo-Olu: Judiciary must outlive govts, political cycles

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said the judiciary must remain independent and endure beyond individuals, governments and political cycles, urging judges and lawyers to protect the integrity of the justice system.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Monday in a message delivered by the Secretary to the Lagos State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, at the special service marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year of the Lagos State Judiciary.

The governor said his administration was entering the final phase of its tenure, with less than 10 months remaining, making the period a time for reflection, not only on its achievements but also on the institutions it would leave behind.

“Administrations will come and go. Judges will be appointed and retire. Office holders will change, and political seasons will pass. But the institution of justice must endure beyond personalities, governments and political cycles.

“Its integrity must remain sacred, its independence unwavering, and its commitment to truth and fairness beyond compromise,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He added that the legacy of his administration should not be measured only by roads, infrastructure and completed projects, but also by the strength of institutions, public confidence and systems established for future generations.

“Institutions that serve our people must outlive the individuals who occupy public office,” he said.

According to the governor, the judiciary had a special role in building a thriving society because citizens must be assured that their rights would be protected, disputes fairly resolved, contracts respected and the rule of law maintained.

He said the effectiveness of the justice system had implications beyond the courtroom, including for businesses, investment, economic activities and public confidence in government.

“For Lagos, with its enormous population, vibrant economy and complex social environment, this assurance is particularly important,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu assured the judiciary that the Lagos State Government would continue, within the limits of its constitutional responsibilities, to support efforts to improve access to justice, strengthen the administration of justice and make the justice system more responsive to the needs of residents.

He, however, said infrastructure, technology and institutional reforms alone could not guarantee an effective justice system, stressing that its ultimate strength rested on the people who administer justice.

“But as important as infrastructure, technology and institutional reforms are, the ultimate strength of justice rests on the people who administer it.

“It rests on integrity, it rests on courage, it rests on fairness and equity. It rests on the willingness to do what is right, even when it is difficult,” he said.

The governor urged judges to administer justice without fear or favour and remain conscious of the human consequences of cases before them.

“To our judges, I pray that God will continue to grant you all wisdom to discern rightly, courage to uphold justice without fear or favour, and compassion to remember the human lives behind every case that comes before you,” he said.

He also urged lawyers to uphold the ethics and dignity of the profession and remain steadfast in the service of justice.

“To all of us in public service, including your sister here, may we never forget that the offices we occupy are temporary, but the institutions we strengthen belong to the people and will outlive all of us,” Sanwo-Olu said.

In his sermon titled “Faithfulness,” the Bishop of Lagos West Diocese, Rt Rev Dr James Odedeji, similarly charged judges, lawyers and other stakeholders in the justice system to remain faithful to their responsibilities and resist pressures that could compromise justice.

Odedeji said professional success should not be measured by position, wealth or influence, but by the faithfulness with which individuals discharged the responsibilities entrusted to them.

“The world measures success by position. But scripture measures success by faithfulness,” he said.

He warned judicial officers and lawyers against compromising justice for personal, financial or professional interests.

• FG threatens to shut Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in two weeks
• Nigeria to promote national interest at UNGA — Shettima
• LASTMA warns against highway skating

“Justice must not be sold,” the bishop said.

According to him, a person could achieve professional success while losing the integrity required of the profession.

“A person may win a case and still lose his integrity,” he said.

The bishop reminded those in positions of authority that they were stewards rather than owners, stressing that every office was temporary.

“We are stewards and not owners. Whatever position the Lord has given to us is borrowed,” he said.

Odedeji also reminded the legal community that those exercising judicial and professional authority remained accountable for their actions.

“There is a judge above every judge,” he said.

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.

Alogba urged 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.

He called for greater cooperation between the Bench and the Bar, stressing that both were participants in the administration of justice.

Representing the Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, said an effective justice system was essential to sustaining the rule of law, protecting rights and supporting Lagos’ economic development.

Pedro said the government would continue to invest in justice-sector infrastructure, professional development and measures to expand access to justice.

He identified delays in the disposal of cases as a major area requiring continued attention, stressing that the responsibility for an efficient justice system extended beyond the judiciary to the executive, legislature, legal profession and the public.

He said every justice-sector reform must ultimately protect rights, resolve disputes and strengthen public confidence.

The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, called for greater public understanding of the law, including the use of indigenous languages to explain legal processes to citizens.

Obasa said the judiciary remained critical to the stability and development of society, urging the various arms of government to work together to ensure that justice processes were transparent and understood by the people.

The service was attended by the Administrative Judge, Justice O. A. Ipaye; who represented the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, serving and retired judges; the President of the Nigerian Bar Association;  Oyinkansola Badejo- Okunsanya (SAN), Senior Advocates of Nigeria; members of the Body of Benchers; traditional rulers; magistrates; members of the diplomatic corps and other stakeholders in the legal profession.

At the Lagos 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.

The Chief Imam said the commencement of a new legal year provided an opportunity for members of the legal profession to reflect on their responsibilities and renew their commitment to justice.

The service marked the formal commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year of the Lagos State Judiciary.