*Calls on Ondo Gov to Publish Statement Detailing Judiciary Disbursements for 2025
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Vincent Adodo, Esq., LL.M, FIMC, has called on the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, to immediately publish a statement detailing the disbursements of funds to the Ondo State Judiciary for the 2025 fiscal year, following ongoing agitation by magistrates, customary court presidents, and research officers for better working conditions.
In a statement dated December 23, 2025, Adodo raised questions about the whereabouts of funds reportedly approved by the governor in August 2024 for the purchase of vehicles for judicial officers.
“I have, for sometime, been following the agitation by Magistrates, Customary Court Presidents, and of late, Research Officers for better conditions of work. Specifically, the Magistrates and Presidents have complained of lack of official vehicles and dignifying offices to perform their onerous judicial functions,” Adodo stated.
He described the situation in stark terms: “The unsettlingly situation has been variously described with the derogatory picture of Magistrates flying ‘Okada’ (commercial motorcycles) for transportation to their courts. This situation if correct is not merely detrimental to the security of the lives of the affected judicial officers but also greatly undermines the dignity of the judicial office.”
Adodo disclosed that he reached out to the Attorney General of Ondo State, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON, on the issue.
“Given the necessity of adequately conducive working conditions for judicial officers and staff to effective and impactful justice delivery, I reached out to the Attorney General of Ondo State, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON on this issue and he informed me of steps being taken by the State Government to address the demands including an approval issued sometimes in August 2024 by the Governor of Ondo State, HE. Hon. Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa for disbursement of funds to meet the demands,” he stated.
Adodo then posed a critical question: “If the position of the Honourable Attorney General is correct that funds have been disbursed to purchase vehicles for the affected judicial officers, the question now to be asked is who collected the funds and why has the funds not been applied for the purpose for which they have been disbursed?”
The lawyer emphasized the importance of investing in the justice sector.
“The point must immediately be made that the importance of investment in the justice sector cannot be overemphasised as there can be no successful and prosperous society without justice and the rule of law. More importantly is the need for the Ondo State Governor to fully implement judicial autonomy for the Ondo State Judiciary in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and several judgments of courts,” he stated.
Adodo called on Governor Aiyedatiwa to fully implement judicial autonomy by disbursing all funds directly to the Chief Judge.
“Hence, I respectfully call on His Excellency, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to immediately disburse all funds accruing to the Ondo State Judiciary from the 2025 Ondo State budget to the Chief Judge of Ondo State for the purpose of accountability and transparency,” he said.
He also demanded public disclosure of all disbursements to the judiciary.
“I also call on His Excellency, Governor Aiyedatiwa to immediately publish a statement detailing the disbursements of funds to the Ondo State Judiciary for the 2025 fiscal year,” Adodo stated.
Explaining the rationale for his call for transparency, Adodo said: “With transparency and accountability, the aggrieved magistrates, Customary Court Presidents and judicial workers would be able to ascertain the proper channel to direct their grievances.”
Adodo’s intervention raises important questions about the administration of funds meant for the judiciary in Ondo State.
If, as the Attorney General indicated, the governor approved funds in August 2024 for the purchase of vehicles for magistrates and customary court presidents, but these vehicles have not been provided, there is clearly a breakdown somewhere in the disbursement or procurement process.
The question “who collected the funds?” suggests concerns about possible diversion or misapplication of money specifically earmarked for improving the working conditions of judicial officers.
Adodo’s call for full implementation of judicial autonomy echoes longstanding demands from the judiciary across Nigeria for financial independence from state executives.
The 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides for judicial autonomy, requiring that funds for the judiciary be paid directly to the heads of courts rather than through executive control.
Several court judgments have affirmed this constitutional requirement, yet many state governments continue to control judicial finances, often leading to underfunding and delayed disbursements.
The image of magistrates using commercial motorcycles (“Okada”) to get to court is indeed damaging to the dignity of the judicial office and raises serious security concerns.
Judicial officers, by the nature of their work, make decisions that affect various interests, and ensuring their safety should be a priority for any government committed to the rule of law.
Adodo’s suggestion that transparency would help aggrieved judicial officers “ascertain the proper channel to direct their grievances” is significant.
Without public disclosure of disbursements, it becomes difficult to determine whether the problem lies with:
- The governor failing to release funds
- Funds being released but diverted before reaching the judiciary
- Funds reaching the judiciary but being mismanaged
- Procurement processes being delayed or inefficient
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