Ekiti Assembly Speaker, Aribasoye Assures Of Speedy Passage Of Palace Court Bill, Backs Customary Court Of Appeal On Quick Justice Dispensation.

 Ekiti Assembly Speaker, Aribasoye Assures Of Speedy Passage Of Palace Court Bill, Backs Customary Court Of Appeal On Quick Justice Dispensation.                                                                       ......As Hon. Babatunde Oke, Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary salutes the vision of the justices to raise the standard of the court.

The Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye says it is imperative to make legislations to support the roles of customary courts so as achieve decongestion of correctional centres by fast tracking justice delivery.  

The speaker who stated this on Tuesday while playing host to thek President of the Ekiti State Customary Court of Appeal Justice Monisola Abodunde and her team of judges said any step to ensure speedy dispensation of justice cannot be overemphasized.   

Justice Abodunde had in her remarks stated the plans of the Customary Court of Appeal to take her sittings across the three senatorial districts in the state in order to bring justice closer to the grassroots. 

She also solicited the support of the state legislature to ensure the passage of Palace Court Bill which would give more roles to traditional figures, get the customary court more engaged, and , by extension, create room for the appointment of more judges.    

Justice Abodunde pointed out that the Customary court could be given jurisdiction on land matters in rural areas and be allowed to handle crimes committed during traditional festivals.

She emphasized the place of favourable budgeting to support some of the plans reeled out which she said required adequate funding.

Rt. Hon. Aribasoye supported Justice Abodunde's position on the importance of activating palace courts for improved access to justice promising that the state lawmakers will give all necessary support to the bill when presented. 

"Once we have it, I can assure you it will be given accelerated and speedy attention. What you need to do now is to work on the executive to make them transmit the bill to us." Aribasoye affirmed. 

He stated further: "When you were talking, what comes to mind is quick dispensation of justice. There's a new approach by the Minister of Interior that we have to decongest our correctional centres. There are many minor cases that had left people at correctional facilities for number of years that have exceeded what ever length their sentence would have been."

The Speaker also promised support to other issues listed adding that those that required clarifications to avoid conflict with any law would be carefully considered. 

"On the issue of jurisdiction over land matters, We'll look into our laws to ensure we don't have conflict of interest. Once we confirm that, why not. If you also have anything beyond what we have said that could guide us, kindly forward to us, particularly the committee on Judiciary."

Rt. Hon. Aribasoye who described the courtesy visit as relevant and productive expressed confidence that it would further solidify the relationship between the two arms of government. 

"I have said over and over that the legislative arm is not a branch of the executive, it is an independent arm on its own. That is why the executive or judiciary can not spend any money without such being appropriated by the legislative arm. We can also make laws to suit our own purpose but that's why we also have the judiciary to always check us anytime we take the wrong path." The speaker explained. 

Earlier the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Hon. Babatunde Oke saluted the vision of the justices to bring the Customary Court of Appeal up to standard promising that the committee will give adequate support and assistance to the development agenda for the court.

The leader of the House , Hon. Tolu Ige and another lawmaker , Mrs. Iyabo Fakunle Okiemen were also present at the courtesy visit.