By Olaniyi Ajibola
As Ogun State’s judiciary marks the 2025/2026 legal year with a special thanksgiving service on Monday, people of the state were fascinated by the news of approval by the Federal Government to establish the Court of Appeal in Abeokuta, the state capital.
This development came as an addition to scores of enduring accomplishments recorded by the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, as the state continues to witness speedy advancements in all sectors.
Recalled that the Governor recently got approval for Ijebu-Ode Inland dry port, making it two inland dry ports in the state, as NCAA granted certification to the Gateway International Airport to commence commercial flight operations, that is, even as the state was being ranked 2nd in Nigeria with N299,000 per capita assets, according to StatiSense 2024.
It is in the face of these remarkable achievements by Prince Dapo Abiodun that the news of the establishment of the second-ranking court of jurisprudence in Ogun State was greeted with excitement and commendation among the residents, praising the Governor for his resilience and selfless efforts to take the state to a higher level of development.
Announcing the development at Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, the venue of the special thanksgiving, Governor Abiodun noted the establishment of the Appellate Court would bring justice closer to the people of the state and ensure quick dispensation and administration of justice.
He said: “We have finally received the formal approval for the establishment of the Ogun State division of the Federal Court of Appeal in Abeokuta.
“This is indeed a landmark achievement of an initiative proudly and aggressively championed by our administration to bring justice closer to our people and to ease the heavy caseload currently on the Ibadan division.
“As a government, we recognise that justice is the foundation of every prosperous society, and we appreciate the fact that the Ogun State judiciary has not only maintained its independence but has also taken commendable strides towards improving access to justice, reducing case backlogs, and embracing reforms.”
As a man with conviction about the indispensability of the judiciary in the continuity and survival of democracy, Governor Abiodun charged judicial officers to uphold the principles of integrity, impartiality and courage as essential ingredients of justice.
Expressing his firm belief in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, the Governor enjoined judiciary workers to ensure justice for everyone irrespective of social status, gender or language.
Speaking from his impeccable background and political culture, which is intrinsically rooted in decency and the rule of law, Governor Abiodun harped on the independence of the judiciary as an integral tool for good governance.
The Governor further expressed his deep penchant for a strong judiciary and balanced adjudication of justice by pledging to support the appellate court to efficiently fulfil its statutory obligation.
He posited, “Our administration will continue to provide the necessary support and resources to enhance judicial efficiency and uphold the integrity of the legal system in our dear state.
“We will continue to prioritise the welfare and accommodations of judicial officers by making adequate housing arrangements and providing other essential support for our judges and other judicial staff who may be posted to serve in the Ogun State division of the Court of Appeal.
This ideology of the Governor about the necessity of the judiciary as harbinger of liberty and rights of the citizenry is highly commendable and enviable, it speaks volumes of his democratic credentials and certification.
Ajibola, SSA to the Ogun State Governor on Strategic Communications
