Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has announced the allocation of new duplexes to each of the 49 judges in the State High Court.
The governor announced this on Wednesday during the swearing-in ceremony of five new High Court judges at the Executive Chambers, Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The move is a major intervention aimed at strengthening judicial welfare and improving the conditions of service in the state.
The newly appointed judges are Luqman Oke, Adebimpe Obienu, Fatima Daudu, Rafiat Kadiri and Oludotun Osho, bringing the total number of judges in Ogun State to 49.
Abiodun said the 49 duplexes, located at the President Muhammadu Buhari Estate along Kobape Road, Abeokuta, were provided in fulfilment of his administration’s commitment to judicial welfare and the creation of an enabling environment for the effective administration of justice.
“As our administration approaches the conclusion of its tenure, we will continue to motivate and support the judiciary and provide for the welfare and well-being of our judges, who have signed up for this service to humanity, within our constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
The governor described the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, charging the newly sworn-in judges to uphold the highest standards of integrity, impartiality and professionalism in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He urged them to dispense justice without fear or favour, carefully evaluate evidence, apply the law faithfully and ensure that their courts remained accessible institutions where the rights of every citizen were protected.
He also cautioned the judges against political interference, personal relationships and material inducement, stressing that neither public opinion nor the prominence of any individual or political party should influence judicial decisions.
In furtherance of his administration’s commitment to judicial infrastructure, Abiodun disclosed that construction had commenced on the Abeokuta Division of the Court of Appeal complex on a 2.6-hectare site adjoining the State Judiciary Complex at Kobape.
He listed other interventions to include the completion of six duplexes at Ibara Housing GRA, Abeokuta, for judicial officers, as well as 20 bungalows at Prince Court Estate, Kobape, for supporting personnel.
The governor noted that the appointment of the five judges reflected his administration’s determination to strengthen the state’s judicial capacity, adding that more judges had been appointed under his watch than during previous administrations in the state.
He particularly commended the Chief Judge for the appointments, expressing optimism that the emergence of a younger generation of judicial officers would provide continuity, renewed energy and long-term institutional development for the judiciary.
Abiodun also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to institutional cooperation and respect for the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
He highlighted the state judiciary’s adoption of an electronic affidavit platform as another significant step towards improving access to justice and service delivery.
According to him, the digital platform has facilitated the processing of more than 31,000 affidavits, with approximately 4,500 users and 25 agents operating across the state. (vitalnewsngr.com)
