The Kwara State government has taken the welfare of judges at the State High Court a step higher on this year’s Workers’ Day as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq presented 11 top-of-the-range Toyota Fortuner Jeeps to the judges.
The chief judge (CJ) of the State, Justice Abiodun 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 beneficiaries at the State High Court Ilorin, Justice Adebara disclosed that earlier in February this year, 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.
Adebara explained 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.
“I want to sincerely thank His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq 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,” Adebara explained.
He recalled that the last time judges received vehicles from the State government was eight years ago apart from the judges appointed in 2020 and applauded Governor AbdulRazaq for his care for the state’s 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,” the chief judge stated.