…As he swears in five Judges
By Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has sued
for impartiality and fairness in the judicial system and administration of justice as he swore in five High Court Justices on Wednesday.
The new Justices are Adeniji Adedapo Olugbenga, Ganiyat Omobola Lawal, Akande Babafemi Abimbola, Okediya Maurice Olufisayo and Olokede-Obadina Christiana.
He said appointment of more Judges was part of efforts to further strengthen the administration of justice and fortify the State’s strong and viable Bench that has superintended prompt and quality dispensation of justice.
Oyetola said the quest to fill the vacant positions was in line with the administration’s resolve to build a Judiciary that would build a just and peaceful society and ensure the socio-economic development of the State.
“Osun Judiciary has proved itself as a friend of the people and a principal player in the provision of good governance to the people through delivery of people- and development-oriented verdicts, and cordial but uncompromising relationship with the Executive and the Legislature.
“As a government that rode into office on the strength of the people, we are committed to providing an enabling environment for the Judiciary, including improving their welfare and ensuring their independence to enable them to perform their duties effectively and efficiently as the last hope of the common man.
“It is our resolve to build Osun on equity and justice as a deliberate strategy to sustain its status as a peaceful State and to ensure that justice reigns in the face of prevailing crises in the nation. We are therefore positioning the Judiciary to join other arms of government to perform this role.
“The Judiciary has a duty to continue to build capacity to enable them to function effectively and efficiently in the new normal imposed on their profession by the COVID-19 pandemic,” he added.
The Governor who commended the judiciary for strengthening the Constitution through justice dispensation, expressed satisfaction at the thorough screening process that produced the newly-sworn-in Judges who are no doubt some of the best officers of the law in the state.
He noted that the new Justices brought an aggregate of about 90 years of rich and extensive legal practice in varied areas of the law in the private sector and the public service to their assignments.
According to him, the judges carry along with them results orientation and private sector efficiency to the established quick and impartial administration of justice in the State.
Speaking on behalf of other new judges, Justice Akande Babafemi Abimbola, appreciated Governor Oyetola for counting them worthy to serve the State in high capacity as Justices of the High Court.