By Adeyinka Adeniran
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state and the Bishop of Ibadan Anglican Diocese, Most Rev. Joseph Akinfenwa on Monday harped on the roles of the judiciary in nation building and democratic processes.
The duo spoke in their separate remarks at the 2025/2026 Legal Year Service of the Oyo state judiciary, held in Ibadan.
According to the speakers, there is the need for the bar and bench to maintain their integrity in the dispensation of justice.
Governor Makinde who was represented by the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo described the Judiciary as the hope of the masses, hence the need for the bar and bench to uphold the ethics of the legal profession that they sworn into.
He reiterated the commitment of his administration to the enforcement of the rule of law and course of justice in the state.
Stressing the importance and significance of the Judiciary to the nation building, the governor emphasised that when justice fails, the peace and security of the state is threatened.
He said, “Be fair and maintain equity in all you do, let’s all work together in fairness to maintain justice and peace in the state,
“In the course of your duty, you must have the fear of God as well maintain righteousness in the dispensation of justice.”
In his brief sermon at the Church service held at Saint James Cathedral, Oke Bola, Bishop Joseph Akinfenwa called on the bar and bench to always maintain their stand and integrity in spite of any situation.
He enjoined them to do all things in the mind of God and use their humanitarian position to positively influence citizens.
Citing 1 Kings 10:1-9, the Anglican bishop advised the judges and lawyers to emulate Solomon and ask God for wisdom to discern the good and bad.
“See every position in life as a passage that you will leave one day, maintain your integrity and fear God because we all will give account one day.
“Always abide in God, remain focus and refuse to be compromised.
“As Solomon and others who did well in the Bible were all celebrated, you too will be celebrated as you maintain right standing with God and man,” he said.
Also, the Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima, alluded to the fact that the State judiciary has witnessed tremendous improvement.
“Our courts are digitalised, it’s not the judiciary you used to know before, we have gone higher and we have very good environment this time.
“The judges are comfortable, it’s no longer the old system of manual filling, we now have the e-affidavit filling; we hope to make more and more progress in this new year”, she said
The event had In attendance members of Nigeria Bar Association from the various chapters, Justices and Judges,, the Nigerian Police Force, Oyo State Road Management Agency, traditional rulers, religious leaders among others.
