Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, on Friday, commissioned the newly reconstructed High Court and Magistrate Court complex in Ogbomoso as part of effort to ensure that the judiciary of Oyo state is restored to its former glory and brought to a better standard than it has ever been.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal said that Justice is the bedrock of any society, adding that without justice, there can not be an organized society.
While stressing that justice has been brought to the door step of Ogbomoso zone, he urged its people to take advantage of the newly reconstructed complex and do away with brigandage and other activities that would give the building a poor reputation.
According to Lawal, under the leadership of His Excellency, Seyi Makinde, we are prepared to form a biotic relationship between the executive and judiciary for the society to progress.
He asserted that part of the Governor’s plan is the reconstruction of the High Court edifice and the construction of Magistrate Court in Ogbomoso as well as moving to Ibarapa zone so that there would be a connectivity among others.
“Here is your base. You do not leave it to judiciary alone. To keep an edifice like this clean and sparkling requires the efforts and collaboration of everyone. So, it shouldn’t be allowed to be stained by any dirt or refuse.
“Such building ranks equally with edifice you can get in Abuja or any other places as the only difference is how to maintain it clean and to make it more valuable among others..
“I want to urge Ogbomoso branch association to collaborate with the judiciary and make the environment clean and well maintained. If it’s not well clean, it will portend a great danger on the lawyers. So, it behoves on you to ensure that this place is kept permanently clean,” he said.
The deputy governor noted that the building being commissioned today was a result of the Chief Judge’s efforts as well as praising the magistrate justice for ensuring the edifice is in place, particularly Justice Akintola who stood firmly behind her.
He also commended Iyabo Yerima, the chief judge of Oyo state, for having a significant impact on the judiciary since her appointment.
“We are happy that you (Justice Akintola) are the son of the soil and it can’t be otherwise than to give support to the Chief Judge.
“What we are witnessing this afternoon speaks for itself likewise the flooring and the environment. I need to commend the Chief Judge very profoundly for putting the structure in place.
“You need to learn from Justice Yerima. She is impeccably dressed and around her, you must expect all time neateness and I urge those who will also be working in the High Court and Magistrate Court to also maintain absolute cleanliness.”
Lawal, who decried that those in university do not want to join the profession because it is gradually losing the uniqueness in terms of dressing and comportment, however said that what is being done today is to make out the beauty of the legal profession for people to adopt and also be willing to join the profession.
He further argued that a separation of powers and understanding between the three alms of government is necessary for the sake of society.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chief Judge, Iyabo Yerima, said that she came on board as the Chief Judge in January, 2023, one of her primary objectives was to ensure that the Judiciary of Oyo State is restored to its former glory.
She said: “Over the years, most of our courts had fallen into a state of disrepair and dilapidation. One of the worst example was the Ogbomosho High Court, with water flooding the courts and sometimes, making it impossible for the Judges to sit and adjudicate on matters. Several palliative efforts were jointly made by the Judiciary and the NBA towards alleviating the situation, but like all palliatives, it only served for a while, before the problem surfaced again, each time becoming worse than before.
“Even when I served as the Administrative Judge, I have always had a passion to see that all facilities in all our courts are put in place and in proper working condition.
Therefore, seeing that nothing short of a total overhaul would be required, I swung into action especially after seeing the new High Court.
“Nunmber 1, Ibadan, graciously renovated by the State Government, approved by our amiable and progressive Governor, His Excellency, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde. We decided that the said High Court No. 1 will be the model and standard to be used for all the High Courts in Oyo State Judiciary.
“Having sought and secured the approval of His Excellency, we embarked on the reconstruction of the entire High Court Complex, which now includes two (2) Chief Magistrate Courts.
“Before now, our Chief Magistrate courts were located in the Town Hall at Oja’gbo, in rather ramshackle and unbefitting accommodation. Our Magistrates had to make do with the environment and sometimes, had their sitting disrupted whenever there was an occasion or festival going on. This unpleasant state of affairs prompted me to decide that we would have to find a means of incorporating the Magistrate Courts, into this new location.
“Thus, we now have both the Ogbomosho Judicial Division and Ogbomosho Magisterial District in the same premises; a situation which, I am sure, will gladden the hearts of lawyers and litigants alike, as they would not have to be shuttling between Oja’gbo and Oke-Ado, when they have matters at both the Magistrate and High Courts, respectively.”
