The Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Right Rev. James Odedeji, has urged judges and lawyers to administer justice fairly and not to oppress the poor or favour the wealthy. He gave this warning on Monday while delivering a sermon at the 2026/2027 New Legal Year Special Service of the Lagos State Judiciary. Odedeji cited Leviticus 19:15, which emphasizes the importance of fairness in the administration of justice.
Odedeji stressed that justice must not be sold or reserved for those who can afford it, and that judicial officers and lawyers must treat every responsibility entrusted to them as a sacred trust. He emphasized that the poor must not be despised and that the powerful must not receive preferential treatment simply because of their status or wealth. The bishop's sermon was titled "Faithfulness" and was delivered at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.
The bishop drew his sermon from 1 Corinthians 4:2, which states that "it is required in stewards that one be found faithful." He urged members of the judiciary and the Bar to reflect on the responsibilities attached to their offices. Odedeji emphasized that judges and lawyers must look beyond their wigs and gowns and remember that their decisions can affect the liberty, property, reputation, and even the lives of others.
Odedeji warned that professional success without integrity can ultimately amount to failure, and that lawyers can win cases while losing their conscience. He urged lawyers to ensure that their competence is matched by sound character, warning that a powerful advocate without conscience can turn the law into an instrument of oppression. The bishop emphasized that faithfulness is essential in the discharge of responsibilities.
The bishop also cautioned judicial officers against using authority to dominate or humiliate people, stressing that occupying a position of power does not make others inferior. He emphasized that everyone in authority remains accountable to God, who is a judge above every judge. Odedeji warned that God cannot be manipulated, intimidated, bribed, or deceived by eloquence or legal technicalities.
Odedeji urged members of the legal profession not to measure success by the positions they attain, but by their faithfulness in discharging their responsibilities. He emphasized that positions are temporary, while the consequences of decisions and the legacies left behind can endure beyond the tenure of office. The bishop urged judges and lawyers to remain committed to justice, mercy, and humility as they commence the new legal year.
The bishop concluded his sermon by urging judges and lawyers to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. He emphasized that faithfulness is essential in the discharge of responsibilities and that everyone will ultimately face divine judgment. Odedeji's sermon was well-received by members of the judiciary and the Bar, who appreciated his emphasis on the importance of integrity and faithfulness in the administration of justice.
Key points
- The bishop emphasized that justice must not be sold or reserved for those who can afford it.
- He urged judges and lawyers to administer justice fairly and not to oppress the poor or favour the wealthy.
- The bishop stressed that faithfulness is essential in the discharge of responsibilities.
