By Tola Gbadamosi
Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, has applauded the State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over what he described as a bold and historic revolutionary approach to judicial reforms in the state.
Recall that Governor Aiyedatiwa recently signed into law an amended bill to amend the law that has been in existence for 48 years without amendments.
The law which aimed to address the critical issue of the dispensation of justice, increased the number of judges in the state by 11, bringing the total to 35.
Dr. Ajulo praised the governor’s decisive action, highlighting the significance of the reforms.
“The Ondo State High Court law has been there for 48 years without being changed, and we have had several administrations, that did not deem it fit to address this critical issue.
“Justice is the foundation of democracy, and for democracy to thrive, justice must be prioritised.
“You need to visit our courts to see the number of cases that are yet to be determined one way or the other due to heavy backlogs that are not commensurate with the number of judges.
“Today, in Ondo State, if you appear before the court and are given an adjournment date, it could be a month or two months away. This is due to the insufficient number of judges, who are already overstressed,” Ajulo explained.
The governor’s decision to increase the number of judges in the state is seen as a critical step towards accelerating the dispensation of justice.
“For the governor to now say we need to have more judges is commendable. This will not only expedite the delivery of justice, but also provide employment opportunities, as more court staff will be required to support the additional judges,” added.
The Justice Commissioner also noted that there’s a considerate implementation of the objectives set out in the reform agenda within the past six months, including improved access to justice and the protection of human rights.
He also commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for promoting open communication in his office and collaboration with citizens to strive for mutually agreeable solutions while safeguarding public safety.
“He also encouraged my office to set up a 24-hour Interventionist Unit, Citizens Rights and Advisory Bureau, CRAB, in which the people of the state came with their complaints and inquiries through our dedicated phone lines and other electronic devices to get across to the governor and his aides.
“The governor’s focus on ensuring justice for all, including gender equality, has been a cornerstone of the reforms,” he added.