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 SUVs 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 SUVs 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 SUVs 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.”