By Toba Babalola
The Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi says that the full financial autonomy and independence of the judicial system in Nigeria will strenghten the organs of government to deliver justice effectively without delay.
Otunba Egbeyemi made the position know in his office in Ado-Ekiti, while playing host to Executive members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), from Ado, Ikere and Ikole branches in the State.
Otunba Egbeyemi who is a legal practitioner while addressing the executive members of the N B A from the three branches said that if the sector was fully backed with financial independence, utmost attention of judicial workers would be more prioritized.
“The funding, appointment and discipline are the pre-requisites to the existence of a judicial system rooted in fairness and objectivity”, Otunba Egbeyemi stressed
He opined that the active implementation of judicial autonomy in the country would ensure functional justice ambiance that could stand the test of time.
“The ongoing strike of the Judicial workers is not good for the country at this critical time, I want to urge leaders of JUSUN to embrace dialogue with the necessary stakeholders to settle their demands.”
Describing Governor Kayode Fayemi as a freedom fighter from time past, Otunba Egbeyemi promised to deliver the message of the NBA emissaries to the Governor for onward attention by the Federal Government.
Earlier, the Chairman of NBA Ikere Branch, Mrs Kikelomo Owolabi who spoke on behalf of other Chairmen said that the sanctity of the judicial system is weakened without the financial autonomy and independence of the judiciary.
She urged the Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who is the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum to help promote the independence of the judiciary, its financial autonomy and respect for constitutional principles of separation of powers and due process in words and action.
