By Our Reporter
Mr Rauf Olaniyan, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, says government is committed to the independence of the judiciary.
Olaniyan, who represented Gov. Seyi Makinde at the 2019/ 2020 legal year service at the Ibadan Central Mosque in Oja’ oba, Ibadan, on Monday said the state would provide all requirements to enhance the performance of the judiciary.
The Hon. Justice Munta Abimbola, Chief Judge of Oyo State, in his remarks gave an assurance that there would be improved justice delivery in Oyo State.
Abimbola said: ” In considering the number of judges, the judiciary doesn’t have enough, even statutorily in our High Court slot, what we are entitled to have is 40 judges and above
”Presently, we have 26 judges, within the context, we don’t have enough judges, Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC) has already approved the appointment of three new judges for us.
”The governor after approval will put the selection process in place and we will appoint judges.”
Prof. Wole Abass of the Department of Arabic, University of Ibadan, said the judiciary should be autonomous to enable it carry out its functions without any hindrance.
Abass said the autonomy of the judiciary should be total so that the people could have confidence in it to access justice.
Mr Akeem Adetunji, the Chairman of Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria in Oyo State, urged the executive arm of government not to pay lip service to the independence of the judiciary.
Adetunji reiterated the call for the establishment of Sharia Court in Oyo State, renovation of various courts and provision of enabling environment for the Judiciary in the state. (NAN)
