Mimiko defends appointment of new CJ

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, 

Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has said that the appointment of the new state Chief Judge, Justice Olaseinde Kumuyi, was transparent and in line with the established practice.

Mimiko while administering the oath of office on the new CJ in Akure on Thursday, said the National Judicial Council picked Kumuyi as the new head of the state judiciary from the names of the three candidates recommended to the NJC by the state Judicial Service Commission.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kolawole Olabisi, made available to THE PUNCH, said Kumuyi was also the most senior judge out of the three shortlisted for appointment as the CJ.

Kumuyi succeeds Justice Gladys Olateru-Olagbegi who formally bowed out of office on Thursday.

The appointment of Kumuyi had earlier been confirmed by the State House of Assembly yesterday in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

Administering the oath of office on the CJ, Mimiko said the objective of his administration was to make the state judiciary the best in the state.

He said, “Our dream is to make Ondo State judiciary number one in Nigeria. In this direction, the executive arm of government will continue to co-operate with the judiciary to ensure that this strategic arm of government effectively discharge the sacred duty imposed on it by the constitution of our land.”

He said, “I have no doubt in my mind that your Lordship is ready for the job and will dutifully discharge the onerous responsibility expected of this high office. It is also my expectation that you abide by the oath of office which you have subscribed to. When there is peace in judiciary, there is going to be peace in the executive arm, there will also be peace in the legislature and even in the state generally.”

Responding, Justice Kumuyi pledged that he would not betray the confidence reposed in him and assured that the state judiciary would witness brighter days.

Among those who witnessed the ceremony were two former Attorneys-General and Commissioners for Justice as well as ex-Presidents of the Nigeria Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) and Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

Source:http://www.punchng.com/Articl.aspx?theartic=Art201010293411490