Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Monday blamed the
corruption in the judiciary in recent times on the challenges
arising from incursion of strange elements into the nation’s legal
system.
Akeredolu said this during the swearing in ceremony of four
judges of the state High Court in Akure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the four male
judges are Bamidele Olupitan, Olajide Abe, Ademola Enikuomehin and
Tope Adedipe.
The governor explained that it was sad to note that even
judicial officers at the appellate courts were not immune from the
malady of corruption.
“The average citizen must be able to perceive the intervention
of the Bench as credible regardless of the outcome. Litigants must
leave, believing that justice has been done.
“A judge must be a shining light to the society since his
conduct and behaviour reflect the public image of the
judiciary.
“The future of the judiciary and indeed the nation depends,to a
large extent, on how our judges perform their duties, effectively,”
he said.
According to the governor, since judges decide the fates of the
citizens, there is need for them to be decent, professionally
disciplined and incorruptible to achieve a better society.
Earlier, Justice Olutoyin Akeredolu, the Chief Judge of the
state, commended the governor and the Speaker of the state House of
Assembly, Bamidele Oleyelogun, for their positive interest in the
affairs of the judiciary.
Akeredolu equally lauded the governor for his commitment to the
implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary and urged
the new judges to brace up for the task ahead.
She further solicited for more support from the state
government, especially in the appointment of more judges,
magistrates, personnel of the Customary Court and other staff to
fill the yawning gap.
Responding on behalf of others, Olupitan expressed gratitude to
the state government for the opportunity to serve and promised to
influence the judiciary positively.
He assured the governor that the new judges would justify the
confidence reposed in them, noting that they were conscious of the
onerous task ahead of them. (NAN)