The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola A. Dipeolu FICMC today, 3rd August 2020, swore in new Chief Magistrates and Senior Magistrates into the Ogun State Judiciary. His Lordship urged the newly appointed Chief and Senior Magistrates in the State to resist the temptation of abusing judicial powers in the course of dispensing justice.

The event took place at the Ogun State Judiciary Complex, Kobape Road, Abeokuta, where the 6 newly appointed Chief and Senior Magistrates took the judicial oath. The Chief Judge implored them not to be carried away with the enormous powers which various laws have conferred on them.

Those appointed as Chief Magistrates include: Mr. Awofeso Ireti-Olu Babatunde, Mr. Dipeolu Dehinde and Mrs. Osinbajo Moriyike Oluwabunmi while Mr. Shodeinde Ogooluwa Adekunle, Mrs. Kolawole Ogunbowale and Mr. Solana Shodeinde Abayomi were appointed as Senior Magistrates respectively.

Also appointed as Chief Magistrate I are Mr. Oluwaseun Solomon Banwo, Mrs. Oluyemisi Oluwakemi Adebo; Chief Magistrate II: Mrs. Adeola Fatima Daudu, Mr. Olatilewa David Oyefeso, Mr. Luqman Olakulehin Oke, Mr. Babatunde Ajibolu Somorin, Mrs. Olufunmiloyo Esther Idowu, Mr. Saheed Aliu Soneye, Mrs. Victoria Williams-Oyetunji, Mr. Babajide Olatoye Ilo.

Also appointed as Senior Magistrate I are: Mrs. Olajumoke Fasilat Adeduntan, Mrs. Temitope Oyepero Obasanjo and Mr. Folarin Akinbola Iroko.

The Honourable Chief Judge enjoined them to be honest, hardworking, diligent, time conscious, reliable and ensure to deal with citizens and litigants who appear before them, with a touch of humanity.

“Judicial Officers have a constitutional duty to serve this nation as competently, diligently, fairly, professionally and speedily as is humanly possible with all things considered; as there are no sacred cows, the Judiciary inclusive.

Judicial Officers are public servants whose salaries and other entitlements are paid by this nation; where majority of the citizens live in abject poverty. Thus, judicial independence goes hand in hand with accountability”, Justice Dipeolu said.

His Lordship said that they were subject to criticism because it was through such, that they would be able to correct their faults and shortcomings; noting that it would also assist them in providing better service to the public.

“Indeed, our conduct must therefore be professional and above reproach at all times. Judicial Officers must earn the trust, respect and confidence of the people they serve”, Justice Dipeolu added.

His Lordship therefore appealed not only newly appointed Chief and Senior Magistrates, but all Judicial Officers to always remember that theirs was a power to be exercised with utmost fairness.