Ekiti Gov Honours Late CJ With N300m Transformer Project

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, has approved the sum of N300m for the purchase of transformers for the various communities unable to connect to electricity in Ekiti East Local Government Area in honour of the state’s late Chief Judge, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye.

Oyebanji, who said that that was Adeyeye’s last request, said, “The project is a reflection of the late jurist’s commitment to service and community development and a way to perpetuate his legacy in the local government and beyond”.

A statement from the Chief Press Secretary in Ado Ekiti on Sunday stated that Oyebanji disclosed on Friday during the funeral service for the late CJ in his hometown, Araromi Ugbeshi, in the Ekiti East LG.

The governor said, “When I was coming here today, and I saw the light in some of our communities, I remembered what he (Adeyeye) told me when I became governor.

“He (Justice Adeyeye) said, ‘I’m not a politician, but I listened to your campaign promises; you said you are going to connect Ekiti East and Gbonyin to electricity; I came to remind you.’

“Within one year we got it done. He came back to say, ‘Thank you, but it’s not done completely; there are still some communities where transformers are not good.’ He gave me the list, and by the time he passed, we had not been able to do it because of resources.

“So, when I knew I would be coming here today, I called the man in charge of electricity to get me the list of those communities and he brought it to my office yesterday. It is going to cost us N300m and I have approved it just to honour our departed CJ,” the governor said.

Oyebanji described the late CJ as “a distinguished legal luminary whose contributions and influence in the judiciary and development of the state are invaluable”.

The acting CJ, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, who spoke earlier at a valedictory court session for the late CJ at the State Judiciary Headquarters in Ado Ekiti, described him as “a jurist per excellence”, adding that he was “a visionary, who pursued effective justice delivery and a strong, virile and efficient judiciary with determination, vigour and passion”.

Ogunmoye extolled the virtues of the late Adeyeye, adding, “But suffice to say that his death at this time is a robbery to us all – his family, the legal profession, his community, the state, and nation, considering the benefits that could have continued to flow from his fine and exemplary character and his wealth of experience.”

The acting CJ enumerated Adeyeye’s achievements in office, including the hitch-free appointment of four judges, the take-off of Ekiti State Customary Court of Appeal, the commencement of construction of additional court halls, digitalization of the judiciary registry and issuance of several practice directions, and as well commitment to judges’ welfare.

Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Dayo Apata, described the late CJ as “an embodiment of dedication, resilience and a man of sound character, a no-nonsense jurist.

“Justice Adeyeye used the instrumentality of the law to uplift and protect humanity. His lordship was a man who strongly believed in the sanctity and protection of human rights. His contributions to the Judiciary in Ekiti state are unprecedented,” Apata said.