Lagos New CJ vows to stamp out corruption

The new Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, has vowed that the Lagos judiciary, under her, will uphold the rule of law, stamp out all forms of official corruption and ensure speedy dispensation of justice, as well as improve public access, transparency and accountability to boost confidence of the public in the […]

The new Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, has vowed that the Lagos judiciary, under her, will uphold the rule of law, stamp out all forms of official corruption and ensure speedy dispensation of justice, as well as improve public access, transparency and accountability to boost confidence of the public in the judiciary, among others.  

She stated this after Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of the state administered the oath of office on her over the weekend at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Justice Oke who has been a judge for 21 years, took over from Justice Funmilayo Atilade who attained the mandatory retirement age on Sunday September 24, 2017.

Justice Opeyemi Oluwafunmilayo Oke was born on June 10, 1954 to the family of Barrister (Revd.) B.F.O. Otesanya and Mrs E.O Otesanya from Ogun State. She is married to Mr. Akinyele Oke, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Florett Nigeria Ltd. 

Justice Oke attended the Methodist Primary School Surelere from 1961-1963; Methodist Primary School, Ekotedo Ibadan, 1964-1965; University of Ife Staff School Ibadan Campus, 1965-1967; Fiwasaiye Anglican Girls’ Grammar School, Akure, 1968-1972 and Olivet Baptist High School, Oyo 1973.

For her tertiary education, Justice Oke attended the prestigious University of Ife, Ile-Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) 1973-1978; Nigerian Law School, 1978-1979; Coppin State College, Baltimore, State of Maryland, USA 1980-1982 (Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with First Class Honours).

Justice Oke began her professional career as a counsel at the law firm of Otesanya & Otesanya 1979; Maryland State-Parole and Probate Dept. Volunteer Service Award 1981-1982. 

She was also a Legal Officer at the Federal Housing Authority between 1982-1986. She left the Federal Housing Authority in 1986 and joined the Lagos State Judiciary as a Senior Magistrate rising to Chief Magistrate Grade 1 1986-1996. She was also a Deputy Chief Registrar 1993-1994.

She was appointed Judge of High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996. She attended some professional courses which include Advanced Management Studies, ASCON, Badagry Lagos 1988; workshop on Judicial Administration organised by the National Judicial Institute 1993; Induction Course for Judicial Officers by National Judicial Institute 1997; programme on Judicial Reform, Conflict Management and Court Administration at the American University, Washington DC, USA between 1999-2000.

Justice Opeyemi Oke is also a Hubert Humphrey Fellow, a Fulbright Programme of the American University, Washington DC, USA 2000.

Aside the above listed courses she has attended several workshops and seminars in Nigeria and across the world. 

Justice Oke’s hobbies include reading novels, music, watching movies and gardening.