Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye appointed as the new Chief Judge of Ekiti State

On November 5, 2024, Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State declared his new acting chief judge of the state, who is to be Hon. Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye. This decision was implemented after the sad demise of the former Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, on November 4, 2024.

This appointment is historic to the judiciary in Ekiti State not only because it provides headship but also shows the governor’s reverence for the tenets of rule of law and continuity of judiciary functions in the state.

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The Appointment of Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye

Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye

Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye was appointed by Governor Oyebanji under the constitutional powers vested in him by Section 271 (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). This section gives the governor the power to appoint a Chief Judge in a situation where there is a vacancy so that the judiciary is active. In his official statement, Governor Oyebanji said he had every confidence in Justice Ogunmoye, as he explained:

“The appointment of Hon. Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye will begin on November 5, 2024. He succeeds the former Chief Judge, Hon. Justice John Oyewole Adeyeye, who died on November 4, 2024”

Early life of Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye.

Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye was born on November 6, 1963, and he has many years of experience in law and judiciary. He was admitted to the Nigerian Bar in the year 1987 and has been a judge since the 1st of April 2010. He now brings adequate expertise that prepares him to assume the duties of Acting Chief Judge in the legal profession. The governor’s statement underscored Ogunmoye’s experience while emphasizing that he comes with past experience, which is important in sustaining his new position.

The position of Chief Judge is indispensable in any state as it encompasses the discharge of administrative and judicial functions besides supervising the proper working of the courts. The chief judge is also in charge of assigning cases to different courts, scheduling, and coordinating the operational running of the judiciary. When Justice Adeyeye passed on, there was a need for a competent person to come in and steer the judiciary through this delicate period.

Governor Oyebanji wasted no time in selecting Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye, which will serve to show that he appreciates judicial leadership. When making his statement, he expressed his good wishes to the new acting chief judge and invoked the need for continuity, especially in the judiciary at this time of change.

The Legacy of Justice Adeyeye

Oyewole Adeyeye

The late Hon. Justice John Oyewole Adeyeye was the Chief Judge of Ekiti State until his demise. More so, his term in office was characterized by notable development and enormous impact on the legal structure in the state. Justice Adeyeye was said to be a man of justice and equity; his death has left the judiciary bare.

The change from one Acting Chief Judge to the other is not only a ceremonial formality but also an occasion to discuss the activities of Justice Adeyeye and his contribution to the bar and bench of Ekiti State.

There are a number of challenges that are awaiting Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye as he begins his new chapter in his career. Like other related institutions, the judiciary in Nigeria comes under a number of pressures, such as the public pressure on the judiciary to deliver services in a transparent, efficient, and accountable manner. The new acting chief judge will have to tackle these challenges but also ensure a culture of trust and respect within the judiciary.

By appointing Justice Ogunmoye as Ekiti State High Court Judge, Governor Oyebanji has taken the right direction in order to ensure that the judiciary is strengthened and fantastic in delivering its responsibilities to the Ekiti people. This is a good omen for the future of legal practice in Ogun State, as the governor has faith in Ogunmoye to deliver. As a new acting chief judge, Ogunmoye will be in a position to steer a new policy that will improve the performance of the judiciary.

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Conclusion

The Ekiti State’s new acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Lekan Adekanye Ogunmoye, brings a new development to the state’s judicial system. This is a positive sign that the governor is more focused on ensuring that the body is both relevant and efficient in meeting the needs of society, especially at this time that the country has lost such a respected member of the judiciary in the form of Justice Adeyeye.

While Ogunmoye is now moving to the next phase, the entire people of Ekiti State will be eagerly waiting to see whether the essence of this development will bring about justice in the state judiciary and render the services in the best possible way.

On his part, Governor Oyebanji was quoted to have said