The main judge of the state of Kwara, Judge Abiodun Adebara, has said that a total of 1,941 criminal cases were recorded, with 910 cases eliminated in the last year in several courts of the State.
The main judge said that the total sum of the pending cases is 1,031.
Speaking in the Special Court session that marks the legal year 2024/2025 and the introduction of the newly appointed judges of the Superior Court of the Bank, the Bar Association and the public in Ilorin on Tuesday, Judge Adebara said that the Judiciary in Kwara's state had continued to strengthen her ability to serve the public.
He expressed optimism about future developments that will further improve the delivery of justice in the state.
According to Judge Adebara, the total income generated from fines and fees in all the courts of Kwara amounted to more than N87 million during the last legal year.
However, the President of the State Justice asked the State Government to consider the provision of vehicles for the eight judges of the remaining Superior Court and the assignment of official quarters for the chief judge and other judges of the Superior Court that still does not fees for magistrates and judges of the area court to build personal accommodations, among others.
Also speaking, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq said that the welfare of the Judiciary remains a priority of his administration, promising to continue exploring ways to improve and strengthen the critical branch of the government.
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The governor, who was represented by the vice governor of the State, the Elder Kayode Alabi, expressed his gratitude to the State Judicial Branch for his dedication to guarantee the effective and efficient administration of justice, encouraging them to continue the work and maintain public confidence.
The governor also extended his sincere congratulations to the recently appointed judges for his deserved appointments, saying that, in the last five years of his administration, he has appointed 11 judges of the Superior Court and administered an oath of charge to the current main judge and Grand Khadi .
Previously in his speech, the president of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ilorin Branch, Sulyman Muhammed Kosemani, requested urgent judicial reforms and greater adhesion to the rule of law, since it marked the beginning of the legal year 2025.
The president of the NBA, highlighted challenges such as delayed judicial procedures and inadequate remuneration for young lawyers, emphasizing the importance of structural reforms to improve efficiency in the Judiciary.
The outstanding aspects of the beginning of the legal year 2024/2025 in the state of Kwara were marked by the introduction of six judges of the Superior Court newly appointed in the bank, the bar and the public.