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Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, has said that the robust relationship among the three arms of government was responsible for good governance in Oyo State.
Governor Makinde said this while swearing-in ten newly appointed Judges of the state high court of justice and Customary Court of appeal in Ibadan.
The Governor hinted that there was no political interference in the selection of the new judges.
The governor said: “Less than a month ago, the NJC approved the appointment of eight High Court judges and two Customary Court of Appeal judges for Oyo State. And. today, we just held the swearing-in of these newly appointed judges. This was done in accordance with section 211 and 281 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
“This exercise reminds us of how democracy works and the principle of checks and balances between the three arms of government. As you know, the legislature makes the law, the Judiciary interprets it and the Executive enforces it. When these three arms work together, you have a more progressive society. And this is what has been happening in Oyo State since 2019.
“The three arms of government have been working together to deliver true dividends of democracy to our people. And with the appointment of these new judges, we are assured of the further strengthening of the Judiciary.
“Among the new judges, you have private legal practitioners from Oyo State, Lagos State. We also have an Associate professor from Iwo, Osun State. So, for us, wherever we can identify talent, please come in and help us in Oyo State.
“I once again say congratulations to you. And let me state that the Judiciary is also going to have a particularly strong impact on the implementation of one aspect of Oyo State roadmap for sustainable development 2023 -2027.
“For a while now, we have been talking about the rule of law. We have taken time enough to sensitise the people about the importance of maintaining law and order. Of course, we do know that changing mindset is a slow process and one of the key ways to accomplish a change in mindset in the shortest possible time is through law enforcement. This is because if they know they will be caught and nobody will bail them out, they will change.
“We will also do something about those driving against traffic rules, especially those that use one way. I get annoyed when I see them. I will not force them but I will put a system that if you are driving against traffic, it will puncture their tires. And I will also put a sign saying ‘wrong way, don’t drive this way’. So, with the combination of strong law enforcement, technology and CCTV cameras, I think Oyo State would be different in terms of maintaining law and order.
“Let me also use this opportunity to thank the Legislative arm because about eight months ago, we went to them with a Bill for an establishment for the rule of law enforcement authority and they gladly passed it. So, as they take the next step of enforcement, the judiciary will be playing a crucial role in implementation as they carry out their functions of interpreting the law.”
Governor Makinde, while charging the newly judges to be diligent in their duties without fear or favour, noted that the teeming people of Oyo State would be looking up to them to protect their rights and to get justice.
He expressed readiness of his government to deploy more technologies, innovations and traffic systems in the fight against lawlessness.
Earlier, Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, assured that the judiciary would not relent in dispensation of justice without fear or favour.
Justice Yerima, who noted that the NJC commended the process that threw up the new Judges, said cases have continued to increase in the judiciary’s docket.
Yerima, who commended the Governor Makinde administration for its unprecedented support for the Judiciary, maintained that the appointment of the 10 newly sworn-in judges took the number of judges appointed by the administration to 15 and that the figure is the highest by any administration in the state.
She equally noted that the governor has purchased a total of 38 vehicles for the Judiciary, which is the largest purchase for the Judiciary in the history of the state, adding that each of the 10 new Judges would be assigned new vehicles.
Justice Yerima also lauded Governor Makinde for building court infrastructures, including the ongoing High Court buildings in Egbeda and Ona Ara Local Governments, the renovations of High Court Complexes in Ring Road, Iyaganku and Ogbomoso, among others.
The Chief Judge added that the executive has also forwarded a bill to the House of Representatives seeking to increase the number of Judges.
The National Judiciary Council had recently approved the appointment of eight judges of the state high court of justice and two judges for Customary Court of appeal of the state.
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