Gov Fayemi Pledges Cars For Judges And Transfer Of Judicial Pension From Control Of Executive To JSC

The Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi CON, has once again indicated his interest in partnering with the Bench as well as relevant stakeholders in the Justice sector towards ensuring that Ekiti State assumes a prominent and enviable position within the nation’s judicial hierarchy. This was made known via an address he delivered today, the 19th day of January 2021, at the Swearing-in of Hon. Justice Adeniyi Familoni into the State High Court.

Fayemi noted that, the occasion is one which restated the vision of his administration towards ‘reclaiming our land and restoring our values’, noting that the vision is far from just a mere slogan but represents the age long principles of hard-work, decency, integrity, as well as competence in public service, recalling worthy examples, the likes of Honourable Justices Micheal Ogundare and Olajide Olatawura of blessed memories whose presence on the Supreme Court bench brought much pride to the state.

“May I also use this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to My Lord, the Chief Judge, the judges of the State High Court, the Magistracy, State Counsel in the Ministry of Justice and all those who work in the justice sector in the state for the outstanding hard work done last year in upholding the rule of law and administering justice in our state, even in the face of the COVID 19 pandemic and the EndSARS protests.

Today’s occasion affirms an essential cornerstone of my administration’s theme ‘reclaiming our land and restoring our values’. At every opportunity in words and deeds we have tried to show that this is not simply a slogan. It is a call to make come true those essential values that are core to Ekiti Kete. I am referring to the values of hard work, decency, integrity and not in the least the value that places competence above mediocrity especially in making appointments to leadership positions in the public service. ” The statement notes in part.

The governor also stressed the need for inclusiveness in the Bench, by making a case for the need to admit younger lawyer via the reduction of the entry age into the bench from forty (40) years, as well as, the need to admit more female Judges into the sector, whilst notng that any such inclusiveness must be laced with the required competence of the Judicial nominee. The governor thereafter stressed on the correlation between Judicial inclusiveness and Judicial welfarism, noting the need for Judges to be comfortable whilst carrying out their constitutional duty.

In a bid to match his words with actions, Fayemi made some announcements, such as the provision of vehicles and the amendment of the Judicial pension law of the state, which would see the transfer of the pensions of Judicial officers from the control of the state executive to the control of the Judicial service commission (JSC) in the state.

“…directly related to this must now be a conversation on the desirability of ensuring that qualified young lawyers are given the opportunity to be appointed to the bench. It may now be desirable to revisit the age of appointment to the bench. I am aware that in a number of states efforts are made to target suitable candidates under the age of 40”

“No less important is the need for female judges in the high court of Ekiti State. My administration firmly believes in the desirability of enabling appropriate environment for the appointment of women to decision-making positions. Our current situation cannot be said to be satisfactory and I hope My Lord the Chief Judge will agree with me on the need to ensure that qualified female lawyers are given the space to aspire to the bench of the high court of Ekiti State”.

“I make these proposals without prejudice to the need to ensure that we continuously put our best forward in making judiciary appointments. It also follows that if we are to continue attracting the best people to join the ranks of the judiciary, then we must make judicial appointment as attractive as possible. To that end, government is determined to get the conditions of service of judicial officers right.”

“Improving workplace environment, facilitating interventions that promote and protect the health of judicial officers and supporting continuous legal education are some of our areas of intervention this year. I am aware that most of the vehicles being used by judicial officers were bought during my first term in office. I am able to announce that arrangements are currently being made to purchase new cars for the judiciary.”

“I should also mention that following the approval by the State Executive Council of a set of proposals for reforming the judicial pension scheme, the House of Assembly has passed the Pension Rights of Ekiti State Judicial Officers Bill, 2020 into Law. The Law will transfer the responsibility for the administration and payment of pension of any Judicial Officer to Ekiti State Judicial Service Commission.”

The Governor had earlier appreciated the efforts, commitments and outstanding work done by the State Judiciary, as well as the State’s ministry of Justice last year, despite the havock brought by the Covid-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the End SARS protest.