Be firm, just- Bishop Akinfenwa urges judges

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

The Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa has advised members of the bar and bench to be fair and firm in the dispensation of justice.

Akinfenwa gave the advice on Monday at an event to mark Oyo State Judiciary 2024/2025 Legal Year Service, held at the Cathedral of St. James The Great, Oke-Bola, Ibadan.

Akinfenwa urged them to give due attention to issues of integrity and never use their privileged positions to defraud or take advantage of people.

The Anglican bishop enjoined the judges to extend the same speed they used to handle political cases to civil, criminal and other cases as well.

According to him, court cases are not academic exercises but about lives and destinies of people, adding that the judiciary should handle them without bias.

He further advised the sector to embrace electronic recording of court proceedings for quick and easy dispensation of justice and to curtail the excesses of lawyers who seek unnecessary adjournments to make more money.

“The judiciary as the last hope of the common man must be upright, you must refuse every form of incentives that can make you compromise.

“Whether as a lawyer or judge, ask God for wisdom and courage to always do the right things at all times,” Akinfenwa said.

He also urged the Oyo State government to employ more judges and improve their welfare generally for quick dispensation of justice.

“They need to be made comfortable in general in order not to be induced in any form or compromise,” he said.

Akinfenwa further prayed that God should protect the lawyers and judges as they perform their duties faithfully.

“As you do your jobs to maintain justice, you shall not die on duty, the Lord shall continually uphold you to the end,” the bishop prayed.

Gov. Seyi Makinde, represented by the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Adebo Ogundoyin, pledged that his administration would continue to do its best to support the judicial sector.

Makinde urged the judicial officials to renew their dedication to the noble profession of law and ensure they administered justice without fear and favour.

“About 10 vehicles have been approved for 10 judges, there is also 300 per cent increment in judges’ salaries and allowances,” Makinde said.

Also, the Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima expressed optimism that the judiciary would perform better in the new legal year.

“We are opening more courts, the High Court and Magistrate courts in Ona-Ara are under construction now. We have also started the computerisation of the courts, in about a month’s time; all our courts will be digitalised.

“On the appointment of more judges, names of new judges have already been sent to the National Judicial Council and I hope that the list will be settled soon by God’s grace,” Yerima said. (NAN)