The Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has swore in Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara as the Acting Chief Judge of Kwara State.
The swearing in took place some hours after Justice Suleiman Durosinlorun Kawu bowed out of the bench in great honours.
The development reaffirmed the administration’s absolute respect for separation of powers and rule of law, the Governor said.
AbdulRazaq declared that it is on record that his government has since assumption of office in 2019 shown absolute respect for separation of powers and rule of law.
According to him, it is in this regard that the most senior Judge on the High Court bench is being sworn-in today to fill the vacant office of the Chief Judge of Kwara State. stressing that this is in compliance with Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution .
The event was held at the council chamber of Government House, Ilorin.
“I am pleased to have the honour this afternoon to swear in Hon. Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara as the Acting Chief Judge of Kwara State. This is following the retirement of Hon. Justice S.D. Kawu, who was the Chief Judge of Kwara state until yesterday (Wednesday),” the governor stated.
He said it is a thing of joy in Kwara State that there is a harmonious relationship between the three arms of government.
The governor stated further that the peace such relationship has engendered is a reaffirmation that Kwara State is indeed a State of Harmony.
AbdulRazaq expressed confidence in the ability of Justice Adebara to deliver on the huge roles before him.
“I am delighted that Honourable Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara is assuming office at this time. It is a period when fairness, forthrightness, and overriding public interest, qualities which he and his predecessors are renowned for, define a judicial officer,” he said.
He told Justice Adewara that as he assumed office as the acting Chief Judge, His Lordship will inherit a long-standing legacy of a state judiciary that is highly regarded in the country and beyond.
The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, for his part, said: “We are gathered here today to witness the constitutional duty of Executive Governor of Kwara State as enjoins by the provision of section 271 subsection 4 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which vested His Excellency with the power to appoint the most senior judge of the High Court to act in the capacity of the Chief Judge of the state.
“It will be recalled that the former Chief Judge of Kwara State Hon Justice S.D Kawu, retired on the 4th January, 2023, after almost 40 years of public service.”
Others in attendance included Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi; Speaker Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr Yakubu Danladi Salihu; cabinet members; traditional rulers including the Ohoro of Shao , Oba Bamidele Adegbite; former chief judges and grand Kadis; members of the bar and bench, including Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
Justice Adebara, in his address, assured the governor and the people of the state that the judiciary under his leadership will strive to retain its pre-eminent position as a seat of justice for all, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.
“It is clear that there is a lot of work to do. It is also clear that this will involve a most difficult and tasking engagement. But, it is a task that must be done. It will be a great pride for me to lead a judiciary that is steadfastly committed to a high standard of performance. We will not allow anything to stand in our way towards achieving this. There will be accountability. There will be responsibility, collective responsibility,” he said.
He commended the Governor of Kwara state for the great confidence reposed in by the appointment.
Lateefah Ibrahim
