Abiodun charges Ogun Judiciary to uphold justice, rule of law
The governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has charged the state judiciary to uphold justice, fairness, accountability and the rule of law, saying public confidence in democracy depends largely on the ability of institutions to discharge their responsibilities impartially and responsibly.
Abiodun gave the charge on Monday at a thanksgiving service held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, to mark the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year of the Ogun State Judiciary.
The governor said the peaceful resolution of disputes was essential to maintaining law and order, stressing that the responsibility for protecting the rule of law rested on the three arms of government.
He said: “When justice is reflected, citizens have confidence in the state. Where the law is faithfully observed, society enjoys stability. When justice is accessible, grievances are channelled away from violence and self-help towards peaceful and lawful resolution. Law and order cannot be sustained by the executive alone. The legislature must enact laws, the executive must faithfully implement them, and the judiciary must importantly interpret and apply them. The constitutional balance among these three arms remains one of democracy’s greatest safeguards against the abuse of power.”
Abiodun urged public institutions to ensure that the exercise of power remained within the boundaries of justice, fairness and accountability.
He particularly charged judicial officers to remain committed to protecting the rights of citizens and resolving disputes in accordance with the law, noting that impartial and transparent institutions were critical to strengthening public trust in democracy.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving access to justice, citing the state government’s advocacy for the establishment of an Abeokuta Division of the Federal Court of Appeal.
According to him, a number of appeals handled by the Ibadan Division of the Court of Appeal originate from Ogun State, making the establishment of a division in Abeokuta both desirable and necessary.
