Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, the Chief Judge of Lagos State has clarified that he did not accept or assume the Bamofin of Ikorodu Kingdom chieftaincy title reportedly announced by the Ayangbure of Ikorodu Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oba Dr. Kabir Adewale Shotobi.
The clarification followed an intervention by the Society of Public Interest Lawyers in Nigeria (SPI-LAW) after a publication by Impact Newspaper dated August 8, 2026, reported that the Ayangbure had conferred the title on the Chief Judge during a royal visit to senior citizens in Ikorodu.
The report also gave the impression that Justice Alogba had accepted the conferment by receiving royal beads.
The development attracted SPI-LAW’s attention because of Rule 13.2 of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which provides that: “A Judicial Officer shall not take or accept any Chieftaincy title while in office.”
READ THE FULL REACTION
RE: THE PURPORTED CONFERMENT OF A CHIEFTAINCY TITLE ON THE HONOURABLE CHIEF JUDGE OF LAGOS STATE, HON. JUSTICE KAZEEM OLANREWAJU ALOGBA BY THE AYANGBURE OF IKORODU KINGDOM: PUTTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT.
The Society of Public Interest Lawyers in Nigeria (SPI-LAW) considers it necessary to put the records straight regarding recent reports concerning the purported conferment and acceptance of the chieftaincy title of Bamofin of Ikorodu Kingdom on the Honourable Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba.Courts & Judiciary
The matter arose following a publication by Impact Newspaper dated 8th August, 2026, reporting that His Royal Majesty, Oba [Dr.] Kabir Adewale Shotobi, the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, had announced the conferment of the title of Bamofin of Ikorodu Kingdom on the Honourable Chief Judge during a royal visit to senior citizens in Ikorodu.
Of particular concern to SPI-LAW was the report that the Honourable Chief Judge had accepted the purported conferment by receiving royal beads, especially in view of Rule 13.2 of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which provides that:
“A Judicial Officer shall not take or accept any Chieftaincy title while in office.”
In furtherance of its mandate to promote the rule of law, good governance, transparency, accountability and the ethical conduct of public officers, SPI-LAW took the following steps:
1. SPI-LAW sought official clarification
Rather than rely solely on the newspaper publication or draw conclusions from the report and accompanying photograph, SPI-LAW formally wrote to the Honourable Chief Judge on 1st September, 2026, through the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Lagos State.Legal Consultation Service
In that letter, SPI-LAW respectfully requested clarification as to whether the publication accurately represented what transpired, particularly the allegation that the Honourable Chief Judge had accepted the chieftaincy title by receiving royal beads.
SPI-LAW made clear that the request was made in good faith and in the interest of preserving public confidence in the Judiciary and ensuring that the records were put straight.
The Honourable Chief Judge subsequently responded by a letter dated 9th September, 2026, which was received by SPI-LAW on 15th September, 2026.
In his response, the Honourable Chief Judge provided a clear and unequivocal account of what transpired. His Lordship stated that when His Royal Majesty announced the title of Bamofin of Ikorodu, he immediately informed the Royal Father that, as a serving Judicial Officer, he could not assume or take any chieftaincy title until after his retirement from service.Nigeria Business Law
His Lordship further expressly stated that the report that he accepted the conferment by receiving royal beads was completely untrue.
According to the clarification, His Lordship subsequently visited the Palace as a matter of courtesy and again reiterated his position that, as a serving Judicial Officer, he could not accept or assume the chieftaincy title.
His Royal Majesty, according to the response, graciously accepted the position and rested the matter.
The Honourable Chief Judge therefore made his position unequivocal: he did not accept or assume the chieftaincy title of Bamofin of Ikorodu Kingdom.
Upon receipt of the Honourable Chief Judge’s response, SPI-LAW wrote to His Lordship on 16th September, 2026, formally acknowledging the clarification.Legal
SPI-LAW expressed its appreciation for the prompt response and, particularly, for the fact that the clarification was personally signed by the Honourable Chief Judge.
Having received the clarification, SPI-LAW informed His Lordship that the concerns raised in its earlier letter had been adequately addressed.
SPI-LAW considers it important that the public record accurately reflects the sequence of events. The initial newspaper report gave the impression that the Honourable Chief Judge had accepted the chieftaincy title and received the royal beads as evidence of such acceptance. That report raised a legitimate issue requiring clarification because of the applicable ethical rule governing Judicial Officers.
SPI-LAW therefore sought clarification directly from the Honourable Chief Judge rather than speculate or make an allegation without first giving His Lordship an opportunity to respond.Government
The Honourable Chief Judge has now expressly clarified that he did not accept the chieftaincy title, did not assume the title, and did not accept the royal beads as an acceptance of the purported conferment.
His Lordship also explained that he had expressly communicated his inability, as a serving Judicial Officer, to accept or assume such a title.
Accordingly, SPI-LAW considers the matter addressed.
SPI-LAW wishes to emphasise that its intervention was not intended to impugn the integrity of the Honourable Chief Judge or to cast aspersions on the Judiciary.
Our intervention was motivated by the need to ensure that matters touching on the ethical conduct of Judicial Officers are properly clarified where circumstances arise that could reasonably create public concern or misunderstanding.State & Local Government
The Judiciary is a vital institution in a constitutional democracy, and public confidence in its independence, integrity and adherence to ethical standards is of fundamental importance.
It is in that spirit that SPI-LAW will continue to engage constructively, responsibly and respectfully with public institutions whenever issues within its mandate arise.
We commend the Honourable Chief Judge for providing the requested clarification and for affirming, by his stated conduct, his understanding of the ethical restriction applicable to serving Judicial Officers.
For the avoidance of doubt, and based on the official clarification furnished to SPI-LAW by the Honourable Chief Judge of Lagos State:
Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba did not accept or assume the chieftaincy title of Bamofin of Ikorodu Kingdom.Courts & Judiciary
SPI-LAW has received and acknowledged that clarification and considers it necessary to make the position known publicly so that the earlier report does not continue to create a contrary impression.
SPI-LAW remains committed to its mandate of promoting the rule of law, good governance, transparency, accountability, institutional integrity and the ethical conduct of public officers, while ensuring that its interventions are undertaken fairly, responsibly and in accordance with the principles of natural justice.
Signed:
Sadiya Saleh
[Director of Media & Publicity]
