…be fair to all – President
The Ekiti State Customary Court of Appeal has sworn in new President and Assessors, saying that it is part of efforts to continue its grassroots’ Justice delivery on accountability, professionalism and integrity in the State.
President, Customary Court of Appeal of Ekiti State, Hon. Justice Monisola Abodunde, gave the assurance in his address during the swearing-in and induction ceremony of the newly appointed President and Assessors of the Customary Court, Ekiti State, held in Ado-Ekiti.
He said “The Customary Court of Appeal of Ekiti State under our watch as the head of court saddled with the supervisory and general administration of Customary Courts in the state has a mission to ensure grassroots’ Justice delivery hinged on accountability, professionalism and integrity (API).”
Hon. Justice Abodunde appealed to the newly sworn in President and Assessors of the Customary Court in Ekiti State to be guided by the core values of fairness, discipline, diligence, dignity and to eschew all forms of corruption in order to help the realization of their set goals to restore the Customary Courts to its place of pride. His Lordship also charged them to think of what they can do for the administration of justice in the rural areas and not what the Customary Court of Appeal or the State can do for them alone.
He said; “I urge you not to take lightly the oath of your office. Be fair to all manner of men. Hear all parties, ensure that justice is done to all manner of men without fear or favour but treat all with dignity and respect regardless of the outcome of their cases before you. Eschew all forms of corruption. With this appointment you now live in glass houses, therefore do not throw stones from within the house or from outside of the house. Give no room for accusation and let your conscience guide you at all times.
“Ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done by reasonable men in the grassroots’ communities where you sit. You are jointly urged to decide cases objectively as it is for the good and promotion of equity, justice and fairness in your various jurisdictions.”
To further enhance the quality of their work, Hon. Justice Abodunde assured the new President and Assessors that arrangements are being made for their in-house induction training and program to assist their judicial work and to expose them to their jurisdictions in accordance to the extant Customary Court Laws 2014, Ekiti State of Nigeria.
Hon. Justice Abodunde urged them to imbibe team spirit. My Lord emphasized this thus “I strongly appeal to you to work as a team with the legally qualified presiding Presidents of your courts, always give them the respect that you wish for yourself knowing that respect is reciprocal. Respect begets respect.”
Reacting on behalf of the sworn in Assessors, Pastor S. A. Ogunjemiluyi expressed gratitude to the President and entire management of the Customary Court of Appeal for counting them worthy for this milestone appointment.
He then promised that he and his colleagues will not disappoint the Customary Court of Appeal in discharging their duties.
The exercise witnessed the swearing in of the first set of Assessors appointed after the inauguration of the Customary Court of Appeal on the 23rd of February, 2023, by the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji.
