Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday openly acknowledged the pivotal role played by the judiciary in safeguarding democracy and rescuing him during his impeachment saga, describing himself as “a proud beneficiary of a fearless and fair judiciary.”
Speaking at the 2025/2026 Legal Year Thanksgiving Service and Special Court Session held in Akure, the Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to full judicial autonomy and the rule of law.
“The judiciary in Ondo State has remained a stabilising force in our democracy,” Aiyedatiwa said. “At a time when our democracy was tested, the judiciary rose with uncommon courage, upholding the truth. Standing before you today, I am a proud beneficiary of that courage — a product of a fair and fearless judiciary.”
The Governor, who attended the legal year court session — the first in the state’s history to be graced by a sitting governor — reflected on the turbulence that trailed his impeachment saga while serving as deputy governor.
According to him, “If not for the courage of the bench, justice would have been buried under political pressure. The judiciary saved democracy in Ondo State, and I will never take that for granted.”
Aiyedatiwa vowed that under his leadership, judicial independence would not only be respected but institutionalised through full autonomy.
“The autonomy of the judiciary is not being delayed by me,” he said. “The committee to finalise the process has been established. Once their report is ready, I’ll approve it immediately — there’s ink in my red pen.”
He also promised the timely completion of the new ultra-modern judiciary complex named after the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, and disclosed the approval of official vehicles for magistrates as part of welfare improvements.
The Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, commended the governor for his support to the judiciary and reiterated the judiciary’s readiness to embrace reforms and digitisation.
“The judiciary remains committed to reform, innovation, and accountability,” he said, announcing plans for Small Claims Courts and a digitised Multi-Door Courthouse.
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, also hailed the governor for what he described as “unprecedented judicial cooperation and welfare interventions”, revealing that committees chaired by the SSG and Commissioner for Finance are already finalising modalities for full autonomy.
Ajulo highlighted key reforms, including the Property Protection and Documentation Law 2024, and the Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, saying these initiatives underscore the governor’s respect for the rule of law.
