Justice Atilade Sworn-In As New Chief Judge Of Lagos

Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola Wednesday swore in Justice
Oluwafunmilayo Olajumoke Atilade as the new Chief Judge of Lagos
State.

Atilade was a former High Court Judge. She became CJ following the
retirement of her elder sister, Justice Ayotunde Philips from the
bench of the state judiciary as Chief Judge.

This is the first time in the history of the state judiciary that
siblings will succeed each other as Chief Judge of the state.

Presenting the Chief Judge designate, for the oath of office, the
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye said that
due to the exit of Justice Ayotunde Phillips, it had become necessary
for Lagos State to have a new Chief Judge.

"In that regard, section 271(1) of the Constitution provides that
'the appointment of a person to the office of the Chief Judge of a
State shall be made by the Governor of the State on the recommendation
of the National Judicial Council, subject to the confirmation of the
appointment by the House of Assembly of the State,'" .

Ipaye, however, added that the Chief Judge designate has indeed been
recommended by the National Judicial Council and appointed by the
State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, and that her appointment
has also been reviewed, found worthy and confirmed by the Lagos State
House of Assembly.

In her response, the newly sworn in Justice Atilade praised her
predecessor's immense contributions to the growth and development of
the judicial arm of the state while promising to continue from there.

She promised to complete the computerisation process of the judiciary
and make a case for the appointment of more judges to speed up hearing
of cases at the court.

Atilade further said she would continue with the decongestion of
prisons started by her predecessor, especially with those awaiting
trial.

Atilade was born on 24 September, 1952.