(left - right) Ekiti State Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, Commissioner for Justice & the State Attorney General, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Prof Modupe Adelabu and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Okey Wali, at the Delegate Conference of the NBA in Ado-Ekiti.
Judiciary personnel and legal practitioners in Nigeria have been urged not to be sentimental or cowardly in the practice of their noble and highly respected profession.
They were told to be courageous in giving landmark judgment that could withstand the scrutiny of subsequent challenge and the court of the masses.
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi gave the advice while addressing the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the annual delegate conference of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at the Bishop Adetiloye Hall, Fountain Hotel, Trade Fair Complex, Iyin Road, Ado-Ekiti.
The governor who was represented by his deputy, Prof Modupe Adelabu said the judiciary is considered to be the conscience of a nation and as such, the kind of verdicts that come out of a nation’s court is considered to be the true reflection of the conscience of the nation.
Governor Fayemi said his administration considered equity and justice as the lifeblood of a progressive society and has therefore been working with all stakeholders in the quest to restructure and strengthen the administration of justice in the state.
He explained that the state has been at the vanguard of domesticating federal laws, where necessary, to give them full effect in the state while putting in place appropriate state laws that reflect the realities of the local environment.
“These new laws are aimed at reforming and re-aligning the judiciary with the world’s best practice while not losing sight of local realities. Our labours in these regards are that all men and women are equal before the law,” Fayemi,
Enumerating some of the bills already passed into law since the inception of his administration to include Gender Based Violence (Prohibition) Law, Equal Opportunities Law, Law Reform Commission Law, among others, Fayemi said the state was really proud of the giant steps taken by his administration in consonance with other crucial reforms to make the justice sector more humane and relevant to the yearnings and aspirations of the citizen both within and outside the
courts.
NBA President, Mr. Okey Wali in his remark lauded the efforts of the Ekiti State Government at ensuring remarkable development in the judicial system in the state to ensure people have access to justice.
Wali reiterated the need for true autonomy for the judiciary and urged the government at all tiers to grant true autonomy to the judiciary in all ramifications to enable it dispense justice without and form of hindrance or influence.
Also speaking, the NBA Chairman of Ado-Ekiti chapter, Mr. J. O. Adewumi expressed the appreciation of the association to Governor Fayemi for his support for the association.
Adewumi said: “The governor has brought into the governance of Ekiti State the candor; maturity; courage; sincerity; and firmness of a leader who wants to have a lasting legacy.”
He described governor Fayemi as a silent achiever who has been adjudged to have used the instrumentality of political office to run around positively the fortunes of inhabitants of Ekiti State.
Last modified: March 6, 2014
