• Justice sector reforms will strengthen rule of law, says Aiyedatiwa
• Ajulo honours five Justice Ministry staff with N1m each
• Legal Year: Abiodun tasks judiciary on justice, accountability

Ondo State Government, yesterday, said that it had undertaken far-reaching justice sector reforms aimed at strengthening judicial capacity, expanding access to justice and entrenching the rule of law.

The state governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, while speaking during the post-NBA conference knowledge-cascading and interactive session held at the Cocoa Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office in Akure, the state capital, revealed that his administration had amended the law increasing the number of High Court Judges from 24 to 35 after the creation of Ondo State in 1976.

The governor also disclosed that the state had facilitated the employment of 44 additional lawyers into the state’s legal service and as well approved a review of magistrates’ remuneration.

He emphasised other interventions to include the establishment of an anti-land-grabbing task force, which he described as one of the most impactful initiatives of his administration.

On his part, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), described the theme, “Raising the Bar,” as not merely a slogan but a challenge and a commitment, stressing that knowledge acquired at the NBA conference must become institutional intelligence and ultimately produce results.

The attorney-general, however, honoured five individuals in the ministry with N1 million each over what he described as their outstanding performance.

Relatedly, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has charged the state judiciary to uphold justice, fairness, accountability and the rule of law, saying that public confidence in democracy depends largely on the ability of institutions to discharge their responsibilities impartially and responsibly.

Abiodun gave the charge yesterday during a thanksgiving service held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, to mark the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year of the Ogun State Judiciary.

The governor said the peaceful resolution of disputes was essential to maintaining law and order.

He stressed that the responsibility for protecting the rule of law rested on the three arms of government.

Abiodun urged public institutions to ensure that the exercise of power remained within the boundaries of justice, fairness and accountability.

In his sermon, the Dean of the Church, Ven. Samuel Omidiji, urged judicial officers to allow truth, justice and divine wisdom to guide their decisions.