The Lagos State Judiciary marked the commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year with solemn reflections, prayers, and renewed commitments to the cause of justice.
The event, held in Lagos, brought together top government officials, judicial officers, and members of the bar and bench.
Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, in his remarks, lamented what he described as a “season of ignorance” in the country, where unverified opinions from social media content creators are increasingly shaping public discourse on sensitive matters, including law and governance.
“Everybody has suddenly become an expert,” Hamzat said.
“Somebody with a Twitter feed and 200,000 followers now pontificates as an economist or a legal mind. That is dangerous. People criticize judgments they have not even read, and this trend undermines respect for the judiciary. Judges should not be depressed by ignorant criticisms but should remain steadfast in righteousness.”
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He stressed the need for Nigerians to appreciate the work of judges and the sanctity of the rule of law, warning against the mob-style condemnation of judicial pronouncements.
In his own message, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, commended the unwavering support of the state government to the judiciary.
He described Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy as strong pillars of the administration of justice in Lagos.
“Fear God, and you will serve without fear or favor,” Justice Alogba charged.
“We assure Lagosians that the judiciary will remain committed to dispensing justice impartially, resisting every form of temptation, and ensuring that the rule of law continues to thrive.”
He also paid tribute to retired judges and promised that the bench in Lagos State will continue to uphold its sacred responsibility to the people.
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Delivering the lecture at the service, Professor Saheed Timehin emphasized that justice is not merely a legal process but a sacred duty of immense moral and spiritual weight.
According to him, the judiciary must remain a bastion of fairness, accountability, and transparency if Nigeria is to build a just and corruption-free society.
“The judiciary is the conscience of the legal system and the last hope of the common man,” Timehin noted.
“To sit on the bench is to shoulder responsibility not just to man but to God. Every judgment and every ruling has eternal weight. Justice must be unambiguous—free from political influence, economic bias, or social pressure.”
He warned that compromise of justice for fear, favor, or bribery amounts to betrayal, not only of the Constitution but of divine trust.
The new legal year service ended with prayers for the judiciary, Lagos State, and the nation, with stakeholders reaffirming their dedication to truth, fairness, and service to humanity.
