Hours after the retirement of Justice Suleiman Durosinlorun Kawu, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has sworn in Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara as the Acting Chief Judge of Kwara State.
The Governor said, the appointment is an indication of his administration’s utmost regard for rule of law.
AbdulRahman made the disclosure in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Rafiu Ajakaye, Thursday, January 5.
“It is on record that this government has since assumption of office in 2019 shown absolute respect for separation of powers and rule of law. It is in this regard that the most senior Judge on the High Court bench is being sworn-in today to fill the vacant office of the Chief Judge of Kwara State. This is in compliance with Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as t),” AbdulRazaq said at the event held at the council chamber of Government House Ilorin,” he said.
“I am pleased to have the honour this afternoon to swear in Hon. Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara as the Acting Chief Judge of Kwara State. This is following the retirement of Hon. Justice S.D. Kawu, who was the Chief Judge of Kwara state until yesterday (Wednesday).
“It’s a thing of joy for us in Kwara State that there is a harmonious relationship between the three arms of government. The peace this has engendered is a reaffirmation that Kwara State is indeed a State of Harmony,” the governor said.
AbdulRahman said he has no doubt that the Chief Judge is equal to the task before him.
“I am delighted that Hon. Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara is assuming office at this time. It is a period when fairness, forthrightness, and overriding public interest, qualities which he and his predecessors are renowned for, define a judicial officer,” he said.
“As you assume office today as the acting Chief Judge, your Lordship will inherit a long-standing legacy of a state judiciary that is highly regarded in the country and beyond.”
The state Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Senior Ibrahim Sulyman, noted that: “We are gathered here today to witness the constitutional duty of Executive Governor of Kwara State as enjoins by the provision of section 271 subsection 4 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which vested His Excellency with the power to appoint the most senior judge of the High Court to act in the capacity of the Chief Judge of the state.
“It will be recalled that the former Chief Judge of Kwara State Hon Justice S.D Kawu, OFR retired on the 4th January, 2023, after almost 40 years of public service.”
The acting Chief Judge, gave assurance that the state judiciary during his reign would not lose its sanctity as a seat of justice for all and would not promote prejudice.
“It is clear that there is a lot of work to do. It is also clear that this will involve a most difficult and tasking engagement. But, it is a task that must be done. It will be a great pride for me to lead a judiciary that is steadfastly committed to a high standard of performance. We will not allow anything to stand in our way towards achieving this. There will be accountability. There will be responsibility, collective responsibility,” he said.
“I want to thank His Excellency AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, a great and excellent performer, who has made giant strides in infrastructural development of Kwara, including the judiciary. In this regard, I will simply say here, E ku ise. Thank you for the great confidence reposed in me by this appointment.”
