The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, has clarified that he neither accepted nor assumed the chieftaincy title of Bamofin of Ikorodu Kingdom reportedly conferred on him by the Ayangbure of Ikorodu, Oba (Dr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/NBBSPIDEL.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/2026-Summer-IDRI-Masterclass.jpg")
The clarification followed concerns raised by the Society of Public Interest Lawyers in Nigeria (SPI-LAW) over an August 8, 2026 publication which reported that the monarch had announced the conferment of the title on the Chief Judge during a royal visit to senior citizens in Ikorodu.
SPI-LAW said what particularly prompted its intervention was the report that Justice Alogba had accepted the purported conferment by receiving royal beads.
The organisation noted that such an impression raised an ethical issue because Rule 13.2 of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria expressly provides that a serving judicial officer shall not take or accept a chieftaincy title while in office.
Rather than rely on the publication and accompanying photograph, SPI-LAW said it formally sought clarification directly from the Chief Judge.
In a letter dated September 1, 2026 and transmitted through the Chief Registrar of the High Court of Lagos State, the organisation asked Justice Alogba to clarify whether the publication accurately reflected what happened and, in particular, whether he had accepted the title by receiving royal beads.
SPI-LAW said the request was made in good faith and in the interest of protecting public confidence in the judiciary while ensuring that the facts surrounding the incident were properly established.
Justice Alogba subsequently responded in a letter dated September 9, which SPI-LAW said it received on September 15.
According to the organisation, the Chief Judge gave what it described as a clear and unequivocal account of the incident.
Justice Alogba explained that when the Ayangbure announced the title of Bamofin of Ikorodu Kingdom, he immediately informed the traditional ruler that, as a serving judicial officer, he could not assume or take a chieftaincy title until after his retirement from service.
He also expressly denied the report that he had accepted the purported conferment by receiving royal beads, describing that aspect of the report as completely untrue.
According to the clarification relayed by SPI-LAW, Justice Alogba subsequently visited the palace as a matter of courtesy and once again reiterated to the monarch that his position as a serving judicial officer prevented him from accepting or assuming the title.
The organisation said the Ayangbure accepted the Chief Judge’s position and allowed the matter to rest.
SPI-LAW therefore said the official clarification established that Justice Alogba did not accept or assume the title of Bamofin of Ikorodu Kingdom.
Following receipt of the response, SPI-LAW wrote another letter to the Chief Judge on September 16, acknowledging his clarification.
The group said it appreciated the prompt response and particularly noted that the clarification was personally signed by Justice Alogba.
SPI-LAW subsequently informed the Chief Judge that the concerns raised in its earlier correspondence had been adequately addressed.
The organisation, in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Sadiya Saleh, on September 22, said it considered it necessary to make the clarification public so that the earlier report would not continue to create the impression that the Chief Judge had accepted a chieftaincy title while still in office.
It explained that its initial concern arose because the publication appeared to suggest that the title had not only been announced but had also been accepted through the receipt of royal beads.
SPI-LAW said that, because of the ethical restriction applicable to serving judges, the report raised a legitimate question requiring clarification.
The organisation stressed that it deliberately approached the Chief Judge directly rather than speculate about what had occurred or make allegations without first giving him an opportunity to respond.
With Justice Alogba’s response now received, SPI-LAW said the record was clear that he did not accept the chieftaincy title, did not assume the title and did not receive royal beads as an indication of acceptance.
It added that the Chief Judge had expressly communicated to the monarch that his judicial office prevented him from accepting such a title while still in service.
“Accordingly, SPI-LAW considers the matter addressed,” the organisation said.
SPI-LAW further stressed that its intervention was not intended to impugn the integrity of Justice Alogba or cast aspersions on the Lagos State Judiciary.
According to the organisation, its concern was limited to ensuring that issues touching on the ethical conduct of judicial officers are properly clarified where circumstances could reasonably create public concern or misunderstanding.
It described the judiciary as a vital institution in a constitutional democracy and said public confidence in its independence, integrity and adherence to ethical standards must be protected.
The group said it would continue to engage public institutions constructively and responsibly on matters falling within its mandate, including the rule of law, good governance, transparency, accountability and ethical conduct in public office.
SPI-LAW also commended Justice Alogba for responding to its inquiry and for affirming his understanding of the ethical restriction placed on serving judicial officers concerning traditional titles.
“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,” the group stated.
It added that it was placing the clarification in the public domain to ensure that the earlier report did not continue to convey a contrary impression.
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
