Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, on Monday sworn in a 36-year-old female lawyer, Mrs Blessing Ajileye, alongside Mr Apuabi Ariyibi, Mr Olalekan Olatawura and Mrs Oyinkansola Oluboyede as judges of the State High Court.
Ajileye, a staunch human right advocate and a private lawyer, had held the positions of Secretary and later Vice Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Ekiti State Chapter.
The event, which was held at the State Executive Chamber, Governor’s Office, in Ado-Ekiti, was witness by government functionaries and members of the legal profession.
Speaking at the occasion, Fayemi expressed delight that the Judicial Service Commission has responded to his concern for the elevation of young lawyers and the need to address gender disparity that characterized the composition of judges in the State High Court.
The Governor said he was not pleased with the absence of Ekiti at the Supreme Court despite the contribution of arrays of Ekiti State – born legal luminaries to the development of justice sector in the country, adding that his agitation for the appointment of young lawyers into the position of judges would enable Ekiti aspire for the bench of the Supreme Court in the country.
While disclosing that the implementation of the Judicial Financial Management Law will commence this month, Fayemi also announced that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the establishment of a Customary Court of Appeal in the State to improve access to justice particularly at the grassroots.
He therefore charged the newly appointed judges to hold fast to the judicial oath and strive to do right to all manner of people according to the laws of Ekiti State and Nigeria.
In attendance at the event were the Deputy Governor, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Funminiyi Afuye, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, Members of the State Executive Council; Judges of Ekiti State High Court, officials of the Judicial Service Commission, among others.