Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, on Tuesday pledged his administration’s continued support for the judicial arm of government in the state, including in the area of infrastructural development and welfare.

Mr AbdulRazaq, at a ceremony in Ilorin heralding the 2024 Legal Year in Kwara, said courtrooms’ rehabilitation, among other efforts of the administration, would continue within budgetary limits in the new year.

“Our administration will continue to partner with the judiciary to sustain the rule of law, public order, and safety along with some other support that ease the dispensation of justice.

“I assure you that infrastructural development in the justice sector, including rehabilitation of courtrooms that we have started and will continue within budgetary allowances in the new year,” the governor said.

He commended the judiciary for remaining steadfast and resolute in the dispensation of justice, congratulating branches of the state judiciary on the commencement of the new legal year.

Mr AbdulRazaq added that the event meant a lot to the legal community as it did for the rest of society.

The state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Senior Ibrahim Sulayman, said the administration was committed at all times to the rule of law, which he said was fundamental to justice.

Chief Judge of the state, Justice Abiodun Adebara, applauded Mr AbdulRazaq for his investment in court infrastructure, welfare of judicial staff, as well as strengthening manpower.

He pointed out that this has helped to achieve a smoother, quicker and more efficient administration of justice.

Mr Adebara said: “Soon after his assumption of duty as governor of Kwara, he appointed five new High Court judges in 2020. In 2023, he equally gave his approval for the appointment of six additional High Court judges in the state.”

He noted that this represented the highest so far at a time in the state.

He stated, “The appointment exercise is ongoing before the National Judicial Council and I believe that our judicial-friendly governor will do all that is necessary for the complete actualisation of these appointments. When this is done for the first time in the history of the state, it will bring the number of High Court judges in the state to an all-time high number of 24.”

Speaking on infrastructural development during the period, Mr Adebara said Mr AbdulRazaq gave approval and released funds for the complete renovation and rehabilitation of the High Court building in the Offa Judicial Division.

“Since the court was built many years ago, this will be the first effort at renovating and rehabilitating it.’’ he stated.

The chief judge announced that 26,533 cases were registered at all levels in the state in the 2022/2023 legal year.

He commended the bar and the bench for their commitment to an improved justice system.

“Out of the grand total of the cases registered in the state in the 2022/2023 legal year, 13,720 were decided to leave 12,813 pending by the beginning of the current legal year.

“The total revenue generated from both criminal and civil cases in all the courts, as well as probate fees in Kwara in the last legal year as fines and court fees amounted to N83,674,936.86,” the chief judge disclosed.

The event was attended by members of the bar and the bench, including serving and retired appeal court justices, retired chief judges, and serving and retired judges.

(NAN)