Archbishop of the Metropolitan See of Lagos, Alfred Adewale Martins, has urged the judiciary to address complaints that would arise after elections in fairness, paying attention to all evidence before delivering judgments.

This was at the 2026 new Legal Year Mass and Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos, organised by the National Association of Catholic Lawyers (NACL).

He charged politicians aspiring for positions to do so based on their capacity and not by attempting to change people’s decisions through material things.

The archbishop also admonished them to prevent violence at all costs, but to present an agenda that can transform every citizen and the nation.

“There is a lot of difficulty in our country today. Politicians should gather all the thoughts of people and ensure that they work out ways to rectify them,” he said.

While congratulating the lawyers on the new year, he stressed that it is an opportunity to do something different and better than the previous year, urging them to exhibit the values of the faith in the practice of the profession.

Martins tasked citizens to get their voter cards, evaluate politicians and on that basis cast their votes.

He urged them to shun freebies and other forms of inducement, and vote according to their good conscience.

The clergy charged INEC officials and security personnel to realise the weight of responsibility attached to their jobs and perform their duties justly.

President, NACL, Lagos Archdiocese, Florence Atuluku, emphasised the need to implement existing laws and for the government to create an enabling environment to protect the rights of the indigent, vulnerable and common man.

According to her, Catholic lawyers are expected to practice ethically in the new legal year, adding that they will always promote and protect the interests of the indigent and the vulnerable.

Chaplain, NACL, Lagos Archdiocese, Reverend Father Raymond Anoliefo, warned that Nigeria’s justice system should be improved as citizens are losing faith in the system.