Oyebanji Warns Ekiti Judges Against Corruption, Demands Integrity as He Swears in Five High Court Justices

|By Chinwendu Nwani

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, on Monday issued a firm warning to judicial officers in the state, urging them to resist corrupt influence and undue pressure that could undermine the credibility of the judiciary.

Speaking in Ado-Ekiti during the swearing-in ceremony of five newly appointed judges of the Ekiti State High Court, Oyebanji cautioned that yielding to pressure from friends, associates, or vested interests would erode public confidence in the justice system.

The governor stressed that the judiciary must remain a beacon of integrity, declaring that justice should never be perceived as a privilege reserved for the wealthy or politically connected. He charged the judges to remain impartial, upright, and committed to the speedy and fair dispensation of justice.

According to him, the strength of the judiciary lies not in personal relationships, wealth, or social status, but in integrity and public trust. He urged the new judges to uphold the Constitution and discharge their duties without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.

The newly sworn-in judges are Olanike Caroline Adegoke, Julius Sunday Bamise, Julius Ajibare, Stephen Akinyede, and Adefunke Anoma.

Oyebanji disclosed that their appointments followed a rigorous and transparent selection process. He explained that the process included public complaint reviews and interviews conducted by a seven-member committee in line with the 2023 Revised Guidelines of the National Judicial Council.

The governor expressed confidence that the new judges would strengthen the administration of justice in Ekiti State and reinforce public trust in the judiciary.