Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed his displeasure at what he called the “inhabitable” conditions of courtrooms in Kwara State, pledging full support to better the work environment of the judiciary.
AbdulRazaq also disclosed that plans are underway to build a new high court as well as a befitting complex for the ministry of justice in the state.
The governor made this disclosure on Tuesday when the newly inaugurated executive committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ilorin branch paid him a courtesy visit in Ilorin, the state capital.
According to a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, “AbdulRazaq said he was displeased with the “inhabitable” conditions of courtrooms in the state — a condition that had earlier necessitated the rebuilding and furnishing of the area court at centre Igboro and the magistrate court at Sango and the reroofing of the high court complex, among other renovation works in the justice sector.”
Ajakaye quoted the governor as saying: “I appreciate the fact that you said you have seen some changes in the state. We will try to do more to create a just society, where everybody has access to social amenities and good governance.
“You made some few requests which we will look into: the issue of customary courts. I will take it up with the Chief Judge of the State and discuss it and see how we can go about it. It is something I had earlier discussed with the CJ. Your courtrooms are truly in a bad shape. It is just that the resources are not there but we will take it one by one.
“Just last week I was sharing the design of a new high court with the CJ. We have a new design for new high court and ministry of Justice and so on. Not just a new court, the CJ also complained about the benches and I said most courts these days do not use benches any more; it is something that we have to change. We are up to that.”
The Governor also welcomed the national journey towards autonomy for the judiciary, legislature, and the local governments, saying he had always been an advocate of autonomy for each of arm of government, including the local government which he described as the closest to the grassroots.
He added however that autonomy would come with its own challenges especially the financial obligations to be borne by each arm of government, particularly the issue of pensions, gratuities, and contract awards, among others.
The NBA led by Barrister Bello commended the governor for his efforts so far in repositioning the state, requesting however that a befitting NBA House be built within the Government Residential Area (GRA) in Ilorin.
Meanwhile, the courtesy visit was also witnessed by the state attorney general and commissioner for justice, Barrister Salman Jawondo.
