Judiciary Day:  We’ll make Justice accessible to common man – Makinde

 

• promises improved welfare for judicial officers

 

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde on has declared that his administration will ensure that it leaves a legacy that makes justice accessible to common man.

The governor, who was speaking at the 2022 Justice Day,  held at the Ministry of Justice, Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan, said that it was imperative for governments to make the Justice system less   intimidating to the common man.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that the Justice Day was not only significant to the Ministry of Justice but that it was important to Judiciary as a whole.

The governor, therefore, promised to continuously  improve the welfare of judicial officers in the state.

He said: “We are trying to leave a legacy whereby the judicial system is less intimidating to the common man. So, you can tie the things happening here today to the common man having access to materials, which you would have to do a lot of research to get. So, things are getting simplified.

“I have always admired lawyers’ abilities to make solid and logical arguments. As an engineer, I get logic through data but you get logic through constitution.

“Well, most lawyers make solid and logical arguments and for us in this administration, we are lawyers as well because our decisions are based on data and logic. And based on logic, we figured out that one of the things we need to do is to reform the judicial system by giving them independence.

“We know that people are not happy going to court in our country and they think it is a waste of time. They try to seek another way of getting Justice.

“The House of Assembly has  passed the Judicial autonomy Bill into law and I signed it. So, indeed and in truth, our Judiciary is the last hope of common men.

“Since last year when I signed the bill, the funding of the Judiciary is now a first line charge from the federal allocation. But I have seen complaints from them that the Oyo State civil servants get paid on the 25th, which does not apply to the Judiciary. But I will say that this happens because FAAC comes late, which causes delay in the payment of the Judiciary.

“But we can work through that because this is Oyo State. We always look at challenges and need to overcome those challenges.

“Another important aspect we have pursued is looking into the infrastructure in the Judiciary to ensure that our officers are working in a conducive environment to facilitate a legal dispensation of justice. Even the Ministry of Justice, anytime I see a file from your side, I always approve promptly.

“As you may already know, we awarded a contract for the renovation of the court complex. It is also on record that we have given more vehicles to the judges than any of the previous administration.

” I know we still have quite some distance to go but be assured that we will do the needful.”

Earlier, the honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, said that the Justice Day, 2022 was organized to showcase the contributions and impact of the Ministry to the present administration in the State.

He applauded the Ministries, Agencies and Security Agencies that have worked with the Ministry.

The event witnessed the unveiling of the Portrait of the Attorney General of Oyo State,  presentation of Law Officers’ Alteration Dress Code, Summary of Performance and impact of Oyo State Ministry of Justice under the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde and public presentation of Pacesetter Law Journal.