Ekiti Justice Sector Reform will re-order society, says Fayemi  

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has expressed optimism that ongoing reform in the Justice sector embarked upon by his administration will help reorder the society and nip crimes in the bud.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti at a meeting with Legal Officers in the employ of the state government, the governor said his administration believes that the law should be an instrument for social justice; adding that “the beauty of the law is to help reorder the society the way we want it”.

Dr Fayemi who disclosed that he had received several calls from different quarters commending him on the steps recently adopted by the State Ministry of Justice to curb sexual violence reiterated the zero tolerance of his government for the social menace.

He assured that his government, using the instrumentality of the law, will bring an end to child rape and any other sexual violence in the State.

“For us, we believe that the law is an instrument for social justice. The beauty of the law is to help re-order the society the way we want it. That is why we are investing in the reform of the administration of criminal Justice. This administration has zero tolerance for sexual violence. We will do everything possible to ensure that we bring an end to this menace”, Fayemi said.

While reacting to the claim that government lawyers file government cases with their personal money, the governor expressed dissatisfaction with the development; assuring that government would no longer shirk its responsibilities or allow workers shoulder what government should normally attend to.

Earlier, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Wale Fapohunda had briefed the governor on efforts at strengthening the legal system in the State; stating that the Ministry is working to improve its work pace to ensure quick dispensation of justice.

Fapohunda disclosed that the process of reviewing the laws of Ekiti State had begun and would be concluded in the next two months.

Also speaking, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ado Ekiti branch, Mr Kanmi Falade thanked the governor for allowing the All Progressives Congress (APC) field some lawyers as candidates into the state and national assemblies as well as appointing competent lawyers as aides.

The NBA chairman however highlight some challenges in the sector, especially inadequate judges on the bench of the State Judiciary; saying that the development which has slowed down the judicial process has occasioned the adjournment of many cases till much later dates.

Falade noted that no fewer than 5 judges from Ekiti are currently out of the State on Election Petition matters.

He equally urged the governor to set up an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) centre in the State to facilitate speedy resolution of cases.