ABEOKUTA – The Ogun State Government has eulogised the virtues of the outgoing Chief Judge, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade for her immense contributions to the development of the judiciary in particular and the State in general.
The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun together with members of his cabinet dedicated the State Executive Council meeting as a valedictory session was held in honour of the Chief Judge who bows out of service tomorrow.
Senator Amosun in a press statement by his Press Officer, Femi Osipitan and made available to NEWSFLAGSHIP said Justice Olopade brought a lot of innovation and professionalism into the State Judicial System, adding that, her efforts has contributed to the overwhelming position the State has attained in the area of justice delivery among the comity of states.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs.) Yetunde Onanuga and the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Taiwo Adeoluwa, noted that she has proved her mettle as the first female Chief Judge who discharged her duty with all sense of dedication and professionalism.
In their separate remarks, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Tolu Odebiyi and the Head of Service, Mr. Abayomi Sobande, described the outgoing CJ has a team player who cared and was committed to the dispensation of justice for equity and justice for the development of humanity.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olumide Ayeni and his Agriculture counterpart, Mrs. Adepeju Adebajo, lauded Justice Olopade exemplary leadership which has led to improved justice delivery in the State.
Responding, Justice Olopade appreciated members of the Executive Council for the honour done to her, commending the administration for non interference with the judicial system, noting that this had allowed members of the Judiciary to deliver their duties effectively.
Meanwhile, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Wole Olanipekun, has described federal character laws enshrined in the constitution and statutes as a principle that militates against meritocracy while breeding mediocrity in governmentorganizations.
Chief Olaonipekun, made the submission at a Valedictory public lecturewith the theme, ‘’An Anatomical of Analysis of the Principle of Federal Character; A Case for the Enthronement of Institutionalism and Meritocracy’’ and book presentation, in honour of the outgoing Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade, held at the Cultural Centre, Kuto, Abeokuta.
He defined “Federal Character “as a concept which denotes a principle of fairness and equity in the distribution of public posts and socio-economic infrastructures among the federating units, emphasizing that to sustain and nurture the judiciary and enthrone meritocracy, government at all levels should refrain from retiring High Court Judges at the age of 65 and Justices of the Court of Appeal/ Supreme Court at 70 within same country, as it takes years to build cerebral justice system.
