Ekiti Speaker Charges New Judges on Integrity, Fairness

The Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, has called on newly sworn-in judges in the state to uphold moral values, equity, and fairness in the discharge of their duties.

Aribasoye gave the charge on Monday at the Introduction to Bar and Bench ceremony for the new judges, held at the State High Court in Ado Ekiti.

The new judges Olanike Adegoke, Julius Bamise, Julius Ajibare, Stephen Akinyede, and Adefunke Anoma were recently sworn in by Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

In his address, the Speaker congratulated the judges on their elevation and urged them to adhere strictly to the ethics of the legal profession.

“You inherit a vocation that demands not only legal acumen but moral integrity, courage, and impartiality,” he said. “Your robes symbolize a covenant with the people an enduring promise to adjudicate with fairness, to listen with patience, and to decide with clarity and courage, even when the path is arduous or the pressures are great.”

Aribasoye emphasized that justice must be accessible to all citizens, regardless of status or influence, and encouraged the judges to prioritize integrity, compassion, and continuous learning.

“Justice must be accessible, intelligible, timely, and fair to every citizen, regardless of status, wealth, or influence. It is the compass by which we steer our civic ship toward equity, peace, and communal progress,” he stated.

The Speaker also underscored the importance of collaboration among the three arms of government to ensure a robust legal framework that supports judicial independence.

“To the Executive and Legislature, we reaffirm our shared responsibility to create and sustain a robust legal framework that supports judicial independence, provides adequate resources, and fosters ongoing professional development,” Aribasoye added.

He further highlighted the need for mutual respect between the bench and the bar, noting that counsel and litigants appear before the court with trust in the system.

“Let us also recognize the vital partnership between the bench and the bar. Counsel and litigants appear before you with trust in the system; it is our duty to preserve that trust by ensuring decorum, courtesy, and adherence to the highest standards of ethical practice,” he said. “Respect for the rule of law must be evident in every courtroom interaction and every written decision.”