Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, said on Monday, that his administration remains committed to the actualisation of the independence of the judiciary.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, at the opening of the 2019/2020 Legal Year, stated that his administration would provide conducive atmosphere for the effective performance of the judiciary in the state.

The Islamic Special Service for the opening of the 2019/2020 Legal Year was held at the Central Mosque, Oja’ba, Ibadan, while the Christian Special Service for the same purpose, was led by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun and held at the St. James Cathedral, Oke-Bola, Ibadan.

During his speech, Governor Makinde urged the judiciary to shun bias and delay in the discharge of their duties on dispensation of justice, noting that justice delayed is justice denied.

A statement signed by the Special Assistant (Print Media) to Governor Makinde, Moses Alao, quoted the Governor as saying that his administration would back the judiciary in the state to work effectively by providing everything it needed to perform optimally.

He said: "We are not going to allow the Judiciary to be coming cap in hands and be begging for their rights. Every effort will be made to make the dispensation of justice easier in this regime.”

He also enjoined the Muslim Clerics to continue to pray for the Judiciary on the discharge of their duties, noting that prayer was needed to ensure effective dispensation of justice.

Governor Makinde hinted that his administration would continue to interact with all other arms of government in a very peaceful manner.

In their separate remarks, the Deputy Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (Ibadan Branch), Mr. Ibrahim Lawal and the chairman, Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria, urged the executive arm of Government to allow the independence of the judiciary and provide necessary financial support for them always.

“We urge the executive arm of government not to pay lip service to the independence of the Judiciary.

“We reiterate our demand for the establishment of Shari’a Court in the judiciary would be asked to give their stewardship on the day of judgement.”

The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Bisi Ilaka; Head of Service, Alhaja Amidat Agboola; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Fausat Sanni; Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Rahman Abdul-Raheem and the Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Kola Balogun, were also in attendance at the event.

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