Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq yesterday swore in Justice Abiodun Adebara and Kadi Abdullateef Kamaldeen as substantive Chief Judge of Kwara State and Grand Kadi Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal.
He restated his administration’s commitment to the rule of law and non-interference in the justice system.
“I have been told that this is the first time the Chief Judge and the Grand Kadi will take their oaths of allegiance and judicial oaths on the same occasion. This is coming just after the majority of the people of Kwara State have renewed our mandate to serve them for another term of four years,” AbdulRazaq said at the event held at the council chamber of Government House, Ilorin.
“The state is therefore at the threshold of history as the leadership of the three arms of government is assuming fresh mandates about the same period. This imposes on us a duty to work together for the larger interest of our people, while respecting the boundaries of separation of powers.”
“I commend Your Excellency for the continuous support of the judicial arm of government and pray that Almighty God continue to see Your Excellency through in all your undertakings and commitments to take this state to greater heights.”
The swearing-in was attended by dignitaries from the government, the bar and the bench, as well as the clergy, such as Deputy Governor Kayode Alabi, Speaker House of Assembly Yakubu Danladi Salihu, members of the state legislative, judiciary and executive arms as well as traditional rulers.
The Khalifatul Adaby (Ilorin) Sheikh Abdulqodir Muhammad Kamaldeen also attended the inauguration.
Justice Adebara assured the governor and the people that brother-judges, together with the entire workforce of the Kwara State judiciary, were committed to serving the people to the best of their abilities.
He added: “I will like to take a moment here to express my deep appreciation and gratitude to His Excellency, the Governor, Mallam AbdulRazaq, for my appointment as the Chief Judge. I am humbled and honoured to have been so appointed. Without mincing words, Your Excellency, permit me to say here publicly that I see our appointments as another of Your Excellency’s commitments to promoting justice, equity and fairness in our state. By allowing the exercise to proceed seamlessly without any rancour or controversy, you have demonstrated remarkable leadership in giving a sense of belonging to all.”
He commended the governor for his hard work, humility and commitment to raising the bar of good governance and service to the people – qualities he said had just earned AbdulRazaq a new term of four years.