We’ll be committed to the rule of law— Oyo govt

The Governor of Oyo state, ‘Seyi Makinde’ has stated that its commitment to the Rule of Law has seen the state set up bodies such as the Task Force on Enforcement of The Real Properties Protection Law 2016 headed by Honourable Justice Aiki. 

He also said that it reinstated a lot of Civil Servants that were dismissed by past Administrations and established the Oyo State Anti- corruption Agency to drive home its zero tolerance to corruption.

The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Barrister Adebayo Abdul-raheem, on Monday at the Special Service For The Opening Of The 2022/2023 Legal Year held at Ibadan Central Mosque, Oja’ba, Ibadan, added that the celebration is the first New Legal year to be observed since a product of the Oyo State Judiciary, which was inaugurated in 1976 was sworn in as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the No.1 Judicial Officer in Nigeria. 

He said: “The Government and the people of Oyo State are extremely delighted and proud about this great honour bestowed on Oyo State by the Almighty God. Once again the Pacesetter State was the cynosure of all eyes on the 12th of October, 2022 when My Lord Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, of Oyo State extraction was sworn into the exalted Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria.”

“It is a thing of great Joy that someone who started as a State Counsel in the Oyo State Ministry of Justice, has risen to the exalted Office of the Chief Justice of Nigeria. I congratulate the entire Judiciary family and pray that God Almighty will give My Lord, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON all the endowments he requires to excel in the discharge of the onerous duties of his office.”

“The New Legal Year Service offers all relevant stakeholders in the Judiciary an opportunity to take stock of the milestones already registered as we look forward to the challenges and prospects of the years ahead.”

“When we assumed the mantle of Leadership of this Pacesetter State, We did not hide our strong belief in the Rule of Law and I am glad that we have not, till date, deviated from this noble conviction and we shall continue to uphold it. We are of the firm opinion that the Rule of Law, Fundamental Human Rights and Independence of the Judiciary are great ideals that any responsible government must hold very dear.”

“As a Government, we are aware that Economic prosperity thrives where there is peace and undisturbed Rule of Law. We have remained unwavering in the promptness and priority we attach to issues affecting the Administration and Administrators of Justice.”

“In that vein, in the 2021/2022 Legal Year, we witnessed the Swearing in of a new President of the Customary Court of Appeal of the State, Four new High Court Judges and a Judge of the Customary Court of Appeal. The process of appointment of more Judges for the State has commenced.”

“Let me say that we have implicit confidence in the Judiciary of our State. The Oyo State Judiciary has over the years distinguished itself as the Custodian of the high traditions of the Bench which made the defunct Western State, the Citadel of Legal erudition in the Country. Today, the story has not changed. On our part, we will remain committed to an unwavering welfare policy for Judicial Officers.”

“The newly Sworn in, Chief Justice of Nigeria while performing his first Official function on Friday the 14th of October, 2022 lamented that Nigeria is currently at crossroads through myriads of problems plaguing her and urgently needs sincere and honest interventions of Judicial Officers. He pleaded with the Judicial Officers in the Country to rise to the challenges and rescue the Nation through forthright adjudication of crisis that would be brought before them. I will join him to reiterate that call.”

“Security of the State being one of the four point agenda of this Government, We have left no stone unturned to ensure that the entire State is secured. We have set up Amotekun Corps to complement the existing security agencies and we have continued to provide the needed support such as procuring vehicles and equipment for all security agencies. We are grateful to God that today, Oyo State is rated as one of the safest and  most peaceful and States in the Federation.”

“To showcase our commitment to an improved Judiciary, this Government has prioritized prompt payment of workers’ salaries, gratuities and pension to retired workers. There is a direct link between regular payment of salaries and prosperous economy. We have commenced the rehabilitation of the High Court Complex at Ring Road; already, we have tarred the roads in the complex, while setting in motion machinery for the repainting of the High Court Complex.”

Additional buildings are being constructed in the High Court Complex Ring-Road and the Customary Court of Appeal. A Ceremonial Hall is being constructed at the High Court, which is quite novel. We shall also begin the process of renovating the other Judicial Divisions of the Oyo State High Court.

“The welfare of our Judges will always be one of the most important duty of this administration and several steps has and will be taken to ensure that the needs of our Judges are properly addressed to enable them dispense appropriate and well-considered judgments for the residents of the State.”

“At the commissioning of the Family Court in July 2020, The Honourable Chief Judge in his speech did mention the followings Bills, which will curb the rising trend of Child abuse and Rape in the society which include Oyo State Public Defender Bill and Violence against Persons Bill.

“Also, Child Sexual Offences Propitiation Bill 2019, Oyo State Sexual and Gender Based Violence Response Team and Referral Centre Bill 2020 which have been passed into law.”

“Our commitment to the Rule of Law has seen us set up bodies such as the Task Force on Enforcement of The Real Properties Protection Law 2016 headed by Honourable Justice Aiki. We have reinstated a lot of Civil Servants that were dismissed by past Administrations and established the Oyo State Anti- corruption Agency to drive home its zero tolerance to corruption.”

“This Legal Year 2022/2023 coincides with the 2023 General Elections. It is therefore, the responsibility of stakeholders, especially in the Judiciary, to ensure that Free, Fair and Credible Elections, especially in the resolution of Election disputes. The judiciary is the last hope of the common man and must be seen to do the right thing at all times.”

“Let me seize this opportunity to congratulate the National Bar Association on the Branch Elections in Oyo State. Let me also specially congratulate the first female chairperson of the prestigious Ibadan Branch in its 68years of existence”.

“Once again I am honoured to be here; I say congratulations to you as I wish all of us a peaceful and successful 2022/2023 Legal year.

18. I thank you all,”

Earlier in his sermon, the guest lecturer, Shaikh (Dr) Muhideen Kolawole Najimudeen, Chief Missioner, Ar-Rahman Islamic Organization, London and Amirul-Wa’ izinah, Oyo State, Nigeria charged Muslims to be concerned about who they chose as their leaders as the country is engulfing with politics, and the swift of the power is becoming resolute and intent, as different political parties is working rigorously to produce a credible leader under the auspices of their party. 

He charged politicians, legal practitioners, government workers among others to stand out for justice in line with Quran 4:135 which focuses on social justice, equity and FairPlay which should be displayed anytime giving the judgement. 

According to him, any Muslim believer that find hm/herself in power should endeavor to give judgement with piety and sincere mind and not to be nepotic, bias, favoritism to blood or tribal alliance, and also set aside any form of egoism but judge according to Allah’s dictate from the holy Qur’an. 

He stressed that the judgement shouldn’t be swayed by wealth or any worldly considerations from any side as a form of bribery, because propped account shall be given in the day of reckoning as stated in Q4: 135. 

Among those in his entourage include Commissioner for Trades and Investment, Minkail Bayo Lawal, Chairman Civil Service Commission, Alhaji Kamaldeen Aderibigbe; Special Adviser on Labor Matters, Alhaji Zikrullah Titilola Sodo; Special Adviser on Local Govtnment and Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Kazeem Yinka Bibire; Special Adviser on Islamic Affairs, Imam Abdul Rasheed Abdul-Azeez and other political appointees. 

MOUTHPIECE NGR reports that the event also captured the recitation of the glorious Quran by the Chief of Judge of Oyo State of Nigeria, Hon. Justice M.L Abimbola, Special Prayer for Judges, Lawyers, Staff as well as those in authority and for peace in the country. 

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