Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has cautioned newly appointed judges in the state against yielding to corrupt influence or undue pressure from friends and associates, warning that such interference could erode public trust in the judiciary.
Speaking on Monday in Ado-Ekiti during the swearing-in of five judges into the Ekiti State High Court, Oyebanji urged the judicial officers to uphold integrity, dispense justice fairly and speedily, and remain impartial regardless of wealth, status or personal connections.
The governor said the credibility of the judiciary rests on public confidence, stressing that justice must never be seen as a commodity reserved for the powerful or highest bidder.
The five judges sworn in are Olanike Caroline Adegoke, Julius Sunday Bamise, Julius Ajibare, Stephen Akinyede and Adefunke Anoma. Their appointments followed a rigorous screening process in line with the 2023 Revised National Judicial Council guidelines.
Citing Section 271(2) of the 1999 Constitution, Oyebanji noted that the appointment of state High Court judges is a constitutional duty exercised on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council.
He added that the new appointments were timely, given the rising volume of cases in the state, and would help decongest court dockets and accelerate justice delivery.
Responding on behalf of the appointees, Justice Olanike Adegoke thanked the governor and pledged that the judges would uphold the Constitution and discharge their duties with integrity and fairness.
