Lagos Appoints New Chief Judge

Atilade took over from her blood sister, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, who occupied the position until her retirement on July 26, 2014, when she attained the statutory retirement age of 65 years.



The new chief judge, who was called to the bar 38 years ago, is the 15th Chief Judge of the Lagos State and the fifth female to occupy the position.



The 62-year-old Atilade, who was the state’s Head Judge until her new appointment, will for the next three years oversee the administration of the Lagos State judiciary.



While presenting her to the Governor for swearing-in, the Attorney General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, said, “Our Chief Judge designate has indeed been strongly recommended by the National Judicial Council and enthusiastically appointed by His Excellency, the Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN. Her Ladyship’s appointment has also been reviewed, found worthy and confirmed by the Lagos State House of Assembly.”



Fashola, in his address noted that the history, recorded by the appointment of Atilade to succeed her blood sister as the Chief Judge of Lagos State, would be hard to re-enact.



He said, “On July 10, when I received the recommendation from the National Judicial Council, I could not but muster to myself that this is a history that would be hard to re-enact in the Lagos State Judiciary.”



The governor lauded the past Chief Judge, Phillips, saying that she lived up to all that she promised when she was being sworn in two years ago.



In her acceptance speech, Atilade thanked the NJC, the governor and the House of Assembly for her recommendation, approval and appointment.



She promised to consolidate on the innovations of her sister as well as initiate new ones.



She promised to work towards more speedy justice dispensation through training for all judicial workers.