L-R: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; Chief Justice of the State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola; and his wife, Omonike, during the Thanksgiving Church Service in honour of Justice Daramola, on confirmation as Chief Judge of the State, in Awo-Ekiti... on Saturday.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has said that his administration has no reason to interfere with the dispensation of justice in the State because of his strong belief in the rule of law.
The Governor stated this in Awo Ekiti during a thanksgiving service for the appointment of Justice Daramola as the Chief Judge of the state.
Dr. Fayemi who spoke on the series of court cases that the state government had lost at the Ado Ekiti High Court, reiterated the commitment of his administration to upholding the rule of law; adding that he would never do anything that would undermine it.
He stated that it was normal for the state government to lose court cases if its facts on the cases are not well presented before the judges but expressed optimism that judges would always attend to cases in fairness and justice in accordance to the rule of law, “regardless of whose horse is gored.”
The Governor stressed that if government is dissatisfied with the verdict of a lower court, there is room for it to appeal the verdict and follow the process until it comes to its ultimate end.
Fayemi added that the state government under his leadership is not afraid to approach the court to seek redress on any issue it is dissatisfied with as well as subject itself to “the court of public opinion” because the administration is out to serve the people and everything must be done in accordance with the rule of law.
On the appointment of Justice Daramola, Governor Fayemi said no one on the State bench was more qualified than Daramola who has been a judge since 2000; adding that the Chief Judge has shown competence and integrity during the period he was acting Chief Judge.
Delivering his sermon at the Emmanuel Anglican Church, Awo where the thanksgiving was held, the retired Archbishop of the Ecclesiastes province of Ondo and Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Bishop Adedayo Abe charged judges to always uphold the rule of law in the fear of God and shun bribery and corruption.
Bishop Abe who lamented the high moral decadence in Nigeria said this accounts for resistance in some quarters whenever there is a move to sanitize a sector; adding that the beneficiaries of the decadence are bound to describe the sanitization as a witch-hunt.
He however urged the Chief Judge to discharge his duties in the fear of God and sanitize the State judiciary.
Last modified: August 12, 2012