EARTHAKANDE HITS LAGOS JUDGES

EARTHAKANDE HITS LAGOS JUDGES
A popular adage goes thus: change is the only permanent thing in life. Accordingly, last week, judges of the Lagos State High Court were given new postings by their chief. The transfers take effect from 12th April 2010.
Mass transfers of judges is not new. What distinguishes this particular exercise is the scrapping of the office of Administrative judge in each of the four judicial divisions of the state.
Hitherto Honourable Justice Ayo Philips was the administrative judge of the Ikeja High Court , while her sister judge – Funmilayo Atilade J. was the Administrative Judge of the Lagos High Court.
Now in the present order, Phillips J. is transferred to the Lagos High Court and is designated the “Head Judge.” On the other hand, Justice Atilade is brought from the Tafawa Balewa Square High Court, Onikan, Lagos to the Ikeja High Court, but is not designated as Head Judge. Interesting.
There is, the Squib can authoritatively reveal, wild jubilation amongst legal practitioners in Badagry at the news that Justice Adebajo the sole judicial officer there has been transferred from the division.
The judge, in the eyes of many of the lawyers practicing in Badagry and environs is not an asset to the division. Meanwhile in Ikorodu High Court, there is sadness in the hearts of many legal practitioners upon learning that their much beloved and respected Justice Habib Abiru is leaving for the Ikeja High Court.
Another notable shift is the transfer of Honourable Justice G.O.K Oyewole from the Criminal Division to the rather tame Family and Probate Division. Easily the most famous High Court judge in Nigeria on account of several big and explosive cases he had handled creditabl in the past, observers wonder whether good and full use of such a judicial hulk can be made in the soft and easy terrains of the F& P Division.
However embedded geckos have hinted to our Central Bureau that the Justice Oyewole transfer is a strategic move by the Chief Judge to tackle frontally the rot in the probate section of the High Court where there is, said a lot of illegal ‘licking’ going on.
We must appreciate our ever resourceful geckos that made sure, despite all obstacles that the document of the transfer of judges ‘flew’ to us. See Cover Story Exhibits.
NEW POSTINGS OF JUDGES AT A GLANCE (EFFECTIVE FROM 12/4/2010)
IKEJA JUDICIAL DIVISION LAGOS JUDICIAL DIVISION
GENERAL CIVIL DIVISION GENERAL CIVIL DIVISION
1. HON. JUSTICE I.E. AKANDE (MRS.) HON. C.J1. HON. JUSTICE A.A.PHILIPS(MRS) HEAD JUDGE
2. HON.JUSTICE O.O.OKE(MRS) HON. JUSTICE D.T.OKUWOBI(MRS)
3. HON.JUSTICE Y.O.IDOWU(MRS) HON.JUSTICE O. OLATERU-OLAGBEGI
4. HON.JUSTICE T.OJIKUTU-OSHODE(MRS) HON.JUSTICE S.O. ISHOLA
5. HON. I.O.KASALI(MRS) HON.JUSTICE A. OYEBANJI (MRS)
6. HON. JUSTICE A.O.OPESANWO(MRS) HON.JUSTICE S.O. NWAKA (MRS)
LANDS DIVISION LANDS DIVISION
1. HON.JUSTICE F.O. ATILADE(MRS) HON. JUSTICE K.O. ALOGBA
2. HON. JUSTICE B.O.SHITTA-BEY(MRS) HON. JUSTICE T.A.O. OYEKAN-ABDULLAI(MRS)
3. HON.JUSTICE O.O.KAYODE OGUNMEKAN(MRS) HON.JUSTICE O.A.IPAYE(MRS)
4. HON.JUSTICE R.I.B. ADEBIYI(MRS) HON.JUSTICE A.M. NICOL-CLAY(MRS)
5. HON.JUSTICE B.A. OKE-LAWAL(MRS) HON.JUSTICE M.A.DADA(MRS)
6. HON.JUSTICE O.A.TAIWO(MRS) HON.JUSTICE W.A.E.AYO(MRS)