WHY WE CAN’T USE COURT COMPLEX BUILT BY FAYOSE – EKITI CJ

BY ABIODUN NEJO

Ekiti State Chief Judge, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, has said the Judiciary in the state cannot use the High Court Complex built and inaugurated by former Governor Ayodele Fayose because it was not properly designed for judicial purposes.

The chief judge, who described the new court complex as a hybrid of absurdity, called on the new governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, to reconstruct the new Court Complex for the state Judiciary to put it into use for smooth dispensation of justice.

The court complex named after the pioneer Chief Judge of the State, Justice Ademola Ajakaye, and inaugurated in May had been under lock and key since then.

Daramola, who spoke on Tuesday at a special court sitting to mark the commencement of the 2018/2019 Legal Year of Ekiti State Judiciary held at High Court One, said the defective manner the new court complex was constructed, was the reason it had not been put to use since its inauguration.

Earlier, a special church service was held at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel (Anglican Communion) to herald the beginning of a new legal year.

The service was attended by the governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; the deputy governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi; his wife, Margaret; traditional rulers, judges, lawyers and judiciary workers.

The CJ said: “Since the creation of Ekiti State on 1st
October, 1996, the Judiciary has suffered acute shortage of court halls and office accommodation.

“It is thanks to Mr. Ayodele Fayose’s administration that the problem is largely solved now with the construction of the Justice Ademola
Ajakaiye House.

“As laudable as the new building is, it is still in a way, a hybrid of absurdity. In its present state, it can’t properly and comfortably function as court house as it was not properly designed for that
purpose nor was it designed for administrative purposes.

“That of course is why we have not been able to put it into use since that building was commissioned earlier in the month of May this year.

“Our appeal now goes to the current administration of Dr. John Kayode Fayemi to come to our rescue in reconstructing the interior of the new building to enable us put it into appropriate use.”

Daramola also advocated better funding of the Judiciary for that arm of government to remain truly independent and better perform its constitutional roles.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda, advocated support of the Bar to fight crime in the state and ensure that criminals were tried and convicted for the crime they commit.

At the church service, Anglican Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Christopher Omotunde, urged judicial officers to be above board, fearless and be
guided by the fear of God in the discharge of their duties.

In his address, Governor Fayemi sought the cooperation of every arm of government to make Ekiti fulfill the purpose for its existence.