Text of the Address by His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria on the occasion of the SWEARING-IN OF THE HIGH COURT JUDGE at Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State

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Text of the Address by
His Excellency
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor, Ekiti State, Nigeria
on the occasion of the
SWEARING-IN OF THE HIGH COURT JUDGE
at
Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State
Tuesday January 19, 2021
Protocols
Good morning and Happy New Year to you all!
2. This is my first meeting with the Ekiti State legal fraternity
this year, it is appropriate for me to wish each of you and your
families a blessed 2021. I have no doubt that 2021 will be a
consequential year for all of us.
3. 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

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and administering justice in our state, even in the face of the
COVID 19 pandemic and the EndSARS protests.
4. 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.
5. As I believe is already clear to everyone here, this is one
appointment that was well made. I have been pleased at the
broad consensus that Adeniyi Familoni is well placed to assume
the mantle of a judge of the Ekiti State High Court. His
appointment is another step forward in a remarkable career that
has seen him repeatedly excel in new roles, recognised by awards,
promotion, and prestigious appointments. I have no hesitation in
saying that he will be a tremendous asset to the High Court of Ekiti
State and I wish him the very best for what I am sure will be a long
and very distinguished career on the Bench.
6. My Lord, may I also use this occasion to share my thoughts on
the future of the Judiciary in the state. The important place of the
Judiciary in determining much of our socio- economic and political

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development as a nation requires us to reimagine the state of the
judiciary in Ekiti State. The superior courts in Nigeria have
assumed a prominent status in this regard. I have often heard it
said that it is time Ekiti State takes up it place of pride in the
superior courts of Nigeria. This sentiment is often accompanied by
frequent reference to the era of Ekiti Justices in the Supreme
Court. Honourable Justices Micheal Ogundare and Olajide
Olatawura of blessed memories whose presence on the Supreme
Court bench brought much pride to us.
7. I have accepted these comments in good faith. My
administration is committed to supporting the elevation of judges
in our state high court. 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.
8. 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

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qualified female lawyers are given the space to aspire to the bench
of the high court of Ekiti State.
9. 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.
10. 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.
11. 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

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of pension of any Judicial Officer to Ekiti State Judicial Service
Commission.
12. It now remains for me to formally welcome Honourable
Justice Adeniyi Familoni to the High Court of Ekiti State. It is my
prayer that he will share our vision of a judiciary that will provide
fair and impartial justice for all regardless of gender, economic
status or any other attribute.
I thank you all for listening
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Governor