CJ charges jurists against corruption
By Kayode Adeoti
History was made on Monday in the Kwara State judiciary as 36 judicial officers were sworn-in to expedite the course of justice in the state.
Those administered oath of office for are; 35 magistrates and one Area Court Judge who have served as Legal Research Assistant with some members of the bench, for about four years.
The swearing-in, which was performed by the Kwara State Chief Judge, Justice Sulyman Durosinloun Kawu, witnessed eminent Jurists, in the likes of former Grand Khadis of Sharia Court of Appeal, Justice Idris Haroon and Justice Olohuntoyin Muhammed.
Recall that the 35 Magistrates and the Area Court Judge were appointed on the 13th of September, last year after approval of the State Judicial Service Commission.
Afterwards, they embarked on a mandatory four-month Court attachment that is meant to avail them the rudiments and ethics of the job.
The appointment has continued to attract approbation from legal practitioners, especially members of the bench, who claimed that the exercise has met one of their long ardent yearnings.
In his address during the swearing-in ceremony, the Chief Judge, Justice Kawu noted that the number of judicial officers appointed constitute the largest to be recruited in one single exercise to the bench seat in the Kwara state judiciary.
He therefore urged the magistrates to always refrain from perverting the course of justice, showing partiality, accepting bribe and subverting the course of righteousness.
He said, “the number of magistrates and Area Court Judge sworn in today constitute the largest number of judicial officers to be recruited into the lower bench of the state judiciary in one single exercise.
“The newly sworn-in magistrates are the first set of officers in the history of the state judiciary to be appointed as Legal Research Assistants, in which capacity they have spent over four years on attachments, charged with the responsibility of conducting legal research works and writing opinion on legal issues.
“I’m confident and delighted to say that this set of magistrates have been sufficiently trained, mentored and are therefore the most prepared to take up the responsibility of adjudication in the lower courts.
“Elections are coming and politics is heavy in the air. You must at all times live above board, shun corruption like a plague, exhibit courage and be independently minded in all that you do without being arrogant.
“As magistrates and judge, you must steer away from the political arena so that the dust of the fray will not becloud your perception of the facts and issues placed before you for adjudication.
“It is only by so doing that justice will not only be done but will be seen to have been truly done,” he said. The CJ further charged the judicial officers to always remember that the oaths they take symbolise covenant between them and God whom he said they will account to on the day of reckoning.
Justice Kawu enjoined them to shun all ethnic, religious or filial considerations in the discharge of their judicial duties. He also charged them to steer clear from the political arena so that the dust of the fray would not becloud their perception of the facts and issues placed before then for adjudication.
Magistrate Omodara Adedoyin, who spoke on behalf of the appointed judicial officers expressed profound gratitude to the Kwara State Judiciary for promoting the course of justice by increasing the number of jurists at the lower cadre.
She therefore promised that they would abide by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the oath of office they’ve sworn to. She added that they would discharge their duties diligently, efficiently and ensure fair dispensation of justice without fear or favour.
Names of the newly sworn-in Magistrates and Area Court Judge:
Omodara Adedoyin
Olaitan Tolani
Aminat Abimbola
Balogun Olubumi Adesoye
Yahya Rasidat
Lawal Rasidat Abiola
Mongaji Monsurat
Badmus Eleja Bola Musirat
Ibitoye Ademola Ibikunle
Olaitan Funke Abosede
AbdulGaniyu Ajia
Bangbola Oreoluwa
Abayomi Muyiwa
Ajayi Tinuola Folakemi
Muhammad Rukayat
Ahmed Abdulrasaq
Ayodele Oluwaseun
Salako Adejoke Tolulope
Atoyebi John Kehinde
Muhammed Adams Soliu
Muideen Laaro
Shaaba Lami
Bamidele Bukola
Bewaji Folake Omowumi
Isau Omodara
Adeleye Funmilayo Olasunbo
Muhammed Bukola Ganiyat
Abdulramond Adeola
Ahmed Yahaya
Yetunde Usman
Adesoye Iyiola
Imam Aliu
Yusuf Abubakar
Paul Ajomole
