Lagos Chief Judge Warns Notaries Against Fraudulent Practices, Urges Integrity
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has urged newly sworn-in notaries public to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism in their duties. Justice Alogba made this call on Thursday during the swearing-in ceremony of 31 notaries public at the Chief Judge’s Court, Ikeja High Court, Lagos.
The event was graced by the Administrative Judge of the Ikeja Judicial Division, Justice A.M. Nicol-Clay, and other High Court judges. In his address, Alogba highlighted the critical role notaries play as private participants in public service, emphasizing their responsibility to maintain the profession’s integrity.
He warned against fraudulent practices, particularly the attestation of fake documents, which he said tarnish Nigeria’s image internationally, as many such documents are used abroad.
In response, Lagos-based Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chijioke Emeka, who spoke on behalf of the newly sworn-in notaries, expressed gratitude to the Chief Judge and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for their trust. He pledged to uphold the principles of integrity in the profession.
Emeka also called for reforms in the appointment and regulation of notaries public in Nigeria. He pointed out delays in the application process, sharing that his appointment as a notary public took four years compared to the shorter, more transparent process for becoming a SAN.
He appealed to the CJN to introduce comprehensive guidelines for the appointment, practice, and discipline of notaries public. Such reforms, Emeka argued, would enhance public awareness of the profession, streamline the application process, and establish mechanisms to report and sanction erring notaries.
The event underscored the importance of ethical practices in notarial duties and the need for systemic improvements in the profession to ensure accountability and efficiency.
