Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the governor of Ondo State, swore in Hon. Justice Ayedun Olusegun Odusola as the state’s 12th Chief Judge yesterday.
In a similar vein, Kogi State’s substantive Chief Judge, Justice Josiah Joe Majebi, was sworn in by Governor Yahaya Bello, who promised that his administration will keep working hard to restore the judiciary to its proper place.
Up until his recommendation by the National Judicial Council (NJC), appointment by the governor, and acceptance by the state House of Assembly, Justice Odusola had been the acting chief judge of Ondo State.
As new High Court Judges for the State, the governor also swore in Hon. Justices Bolatito Florence Ajibade, Bankole Jacob Akinwunmi, Leonard Boyede Ologun, and Femi Sylvester Akinbinnu.
Pastor Omofunmile Adejombo, Mrs. Omolola Akinseloyin, and Mr. Stanley Adeniyan were all officially inaugurated by Akeredolu as members of the State Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Their swearing-in ceremony was place in the Governor’s Office’s Cocoa Conference Hall in Alagbaka, Akure.
According to Akeredolu, the Chief Judge and other judges’ appointments are the highest honors a society can bestow upon a citizen. He emphasized that in addition to recognizing the judges’ abilities in the administration and practice of law, their appointments also attest to their moral fitness.
He said: “Despite the difficulties we experienced, particularly following the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, which had a detrimental effect on the state’s budget, we have continued to fulfill our obligations with the utmost care and dedication.”
The governor noted that the proposed architectural masterpiece is designed to have all the amenities of a modern court complex, including 21 court Halls, a modern Ceremonial Hall, Library, among others. He also revealed that he had just approved the immediate start of work on the construction of a new ultra-modern court complex.
We are resolved to leave this edifice as an everlasting legacy to the State, he emphasized, “with the help of the Almighty.”
The governor emphasized that anyone seeking the position of judicial officer must be a suitable and proper person and gave the Chief Judge and the four new judges orders to uphold the law.
Any candidate for the position of judicial officer must be suitable. He must uphold the highest standards of behavior in both his professional and personal lives. Anyone who successfully completes the screening at various levels must be deemed qualified. As a result of his great control over people, the society demands the best performance from such a person.
“He both makes and unmakes the law in his interpretation. While enforcing the law, he wields the power of life and death. No respectable nation makes jokes about the welfare of the judiciary. Since taking the reins of leadership as the Governor of Ondo State, I have had the uncommon honor of swearing in four Chief Judges and ten judges. This is the fifth oath-taking ceremony that our administration has held since it began.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with some of these illustrious individuals, and I can only praise them highly for their exceptional character. So I command the new judicial officers to uphold the ideal of fundamental service to the people.
The new Chief Judge thanked the governor for choosing him as the Chief Judge and four other people as judges of the state High Court and for accepting the NJC’s recommendation in his acceptance speech.
During his time as Chief Judge, he promised to maintain and strengthen the current connection between the various branches of the government.
In his own words, Governor Bello declared, “We can accomplish more in the pursuit of an equitable society with tenacity and bravery.”
The governor asserted that the Chief Judge is the result of due process, citing the fact that the National Judicial Council had approved him prior to his inauguration (NJC).
Following his cognate experience, he “has the experience, character, and education to fill the office.”
The governor remarked that Nigeria just now required a strong, capable judiciary.
He pleaded with the Chief Judge to put all of his skills to good use by strengthening the state judiciary.
Muhammed Sani (SAN), the state’s attorney general and commissioner of justice, who was represented by Abeeb Abdullahi, the solicitor general and permanent secretary, referred to the governor as the best in the state’s history.
He claimed that Governor Yahaya Bello’s recent selection by the President as one of the six performing governors was justified in light of the development initiatives.
He expressed gratitude to the state House of Assembly for swiftly approving the Chief Judge’s nomination.
Justice Majebi, the Chief Judge, responded by stating that maintaining judicial integrity was his goal.
He claims that a council of judges has been established in addition to others to carry out predetermined tasks in the state judiciary.
Additionally, Justice Majebi claimed to have created a few directorates and departments as well as employee welfare programs.
The Chief Judge assured that first line judicial service will not be jeopardized under his direction by thanking the governor, the National Judicial Council, and other stakeholders for their support.
Mrs. Folashade Ayoade-Arike, secretary to the Kogi State government, had earlier read the Chief Judge’s citation.
On June 27 of last year, Justice Josiah Majebi was named Acting Chief Judge.
