Lagos CJ Inaugurates Election Tribunals Ahead of Today’s LG Polls

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, on Friday inaugurated two Local Government Election Appeal Tribunals ahead of the LG elections holding across the state today.

The panels, which will sit concurrently on Lagos Island and in Ikeja, each consist of four chief magistrates and are chaired by retired High Court judges.

Justice Taofikat Oyinkan-Abdullahi (retd.) will chair the Lagos Island panel, alongside Magistrates Michael Olubi, Olaitan Ajayi, Salamah Matepo, and Hotepo Lazarus.
The Ikeja panel will be headed by Justice Sherifah Solebo (retd.), with Magistrates Davies Rasak, Oluwatosin Fowowe-Erusiafe, Adepeju Odusanya, and Lynda Balogun serving as members.

At the inauguration held in the conference room of the Ikeja High Court, Justice Alogba urged tribunal members to perform their duties with “utmost integrity, fairness, and fidelity to the law.” He reminded them of the statutory timeline provided in the 2016 amendment to the Lagos State Local Government Law, which allows 21 days to file petitions after election results are announced and 45 days for the tribunals to conclude hearings.

“Any decision or action taken outside the legally prescribed time limit is a nullity and of no legal effect,” the Chief Judge cautioned.

Justice Alogba also emphasised the critical role of the tribunals in maintaining public confidence in the judiciary, saying, “You must act strictly within the purview of the law. The confidence I have in your character, experience, and sense of judgment informed your appointment. Uphold justice without fear or favour, and resist all forms of bias or intimidation.”