Kwara CJ

Kwara State Government took the welfare of judges at the state High Court a step higher on Tuesday as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq presented 11 top-of the range Toyota Fortuner Jeeps to the judges.

The Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara also got a 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser for the use of his office, in what underlined the administration’s efforts to make the judges more comfortable in their service to the state and the country.

At the official presentation of the vehicles to the affected judges at the State High Court Ilorin, the Hon. Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Abiodun Adebara, disclosed that earlier in the February this year 2024, five Toyota Fortuner Jeeps were allocated to five of the state High Court Judges from the money made available by the state government under the 2023 Budget.

The Chief Judge added that five new Toyota Fortuner Jeeps procured under the 2024 approved budget are to be allocated to another five of the judges of the state High Court today, the 30th of April, 2024

“Also, this morning, His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq released another seven Toyota vehicles to the judiciary. Six of which are meant for the six new judges to be appointed,” Justice Adebara announced.

The Chief Judge explained further that the purchase of a brand new vehicle is a condition precedent for the appointment of a new judge.

“These appointments are in the offing, and this is one of the requirements of the National Judicial Council (NJC). There must be a vehicle on the ground before the appointment of a new judge for inspection. His Excellency has supplied six vehicles, and the seventh one is for the office of the Chief Judge,” he said.

“I want to sincerely thank His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON who has been so friendly to the judiciary of Kwara State. He has been treating our requests with despatch in positive ways.

“What we are witnessing today is another positive impact of his administration on the money allocated to the judiciary in the 2024 budget under vehicle procurement. He promptly approved it. The money was released to the judiciary,” Justice Adebara explained.

The CJ recalled that the last time judges received vehicles from the government was eight years ago apart from the judges appointed on 2020 and applauded AbdulRazaq for his care for the state judiciary.

“The last time these judges had vehicles from the government was eight years ago. How will eight-year-old vehicles look like today in term of efficiency? Some of our judges are not even within Ilorin. It will enhance our jobs and the dignity of the office of a judge. So, it will complement our jobs and boost the morale of judges.

“I give glory to God, and I appreciate the amiable governor of the state for prioritising this important needs of the judiciary among other competing needs in the state.

“We are very grateful. We still have some judges who are yet to have their vehicles. I believe very soon, we’ll have their own.”

Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara, the Chief Judge of Kwara State, has taken a momentous step by signing into law the Kwara State Family Court Rules and Practice Direction Amendment 2023.

These Family Court Rules have been designed to govern proceedings related to child rjights, their welfare, and trials under the Kwara State Child’s Right Law of 2006, among other related purposes.a

Earlier, Justice Adebara had constituted a committee, led by the Chief Registrar, Chief Magistrate Ibijoke Olawoyin to meticulously review the existing family court rules. This committee comprised the head of the family court, the deputy registrar responsible for litigation, and dedicated child rights advocates, notably led by the Fulfilling Dreams Foundation.

This vital review process was initiated through the SCALE project, made possible by the dedicated efforts of Child Rights advocates generously sponsored by USAID through PALLADIUM.

The ceremonial signing of the revised family court rules was conducted in the presence of the Chief Registrar, Deputy Chief Registrar of Administration, and prominent child rights advocates, with Hajia Nimat Labaika, the Executive Director of Fulfilling Dreams Foundation, leading the way.

During this milestone event held in his office, Justice Adebara emphasized the significance of these new rules, which are centered around enhancing and refining the existing legal framework.

He believes that this development will lead to a faster, more efficient, and child-friendly implementation of child rights law in Kwara State.

Justice Adebara expressed his gratitude to the dedicated child rights advocate cluster in Kwara State, notably under the leadership of Hajia Nimat Labaika, for their unwavering commitment to bringing these rules into effect.

The Palladium SCALE project, generously funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is dedicated to the complete implementation of child rights law across five states in the north-central region of Nigeria.

The signing of the CRL ‘Practice Direction’ represents a significant step towards fulfilling the policy demands of the Child Rights Law, as it kick-starts the legal framework for its implementation.

In response to this groundbreaking development, Hajia Nimat Labaika, the Executive Director of Fulfilling Dreams Foundation, expressed her elation, describing the signing of the rules as a dream come true.

Four out of the five implementing states of the project have now signed these rules, thanks to the generous sponsorship by USAID through Palladium, leaving no reason for Kwara State to lag behind.

Hajia Nimat Labaika called upon the state government to establish essential structures such as more family courts, a child rights implementation committee, and allocate the necessary budgetary resources to facilitate the complete and effective implementation of the Child Rights Law within the state.

Kwara CJ excited as Gov AbdulRazaq presents 12 new Toyota Jeeps to judges … Five Jeeps earlier presented in Feb

Kwara CJ signs revised Family Court Rules