Kogi state Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Richard Olorunju Olorunfemi, has directed the upgrading of Ejuku community Area Court, built since 1940 by the colonialist, to an Upper Area Court so as to reflect the growth of the community.
Ejuku community is in the hinterland of the Yagba East Local Government Area of Kogi State. It comprises seven villages with a considerable population of citizens and residents. For decades, the community has desired more government attention in the form of judicial presence through courts as the only Area Court that exists in the community has long become inadequate in its response to the demand for justice by the communiuty. Litigants from the area rather travel as far as kabba and even other farther places to seek legal redress since the area court lacks jurisdiction in many areas.
Succor however came the way of the community yesterday when His Royal Highness, Oba Lamidi Folorunsho Ayeni, the Elejuku of Ejuku, led a large entourage which also comprised a notable lawyer in Kogi State, Barr. Yemi Muhammed, on a courtesy visit to the Acting Chief Judge with one sole request, the upgrading of the existing Area Court to an Upper Area Court.
While approving the upgrading of the court, the Hon. Chief Judge admitted that the community was long overdue for a higher court given how long it had depended on the existing area court in accessing justice. He added that where it had become stressful for members of a community to access justice and it is practicably feasible to provide one, especially when the demand comes from the community, it is only logical that it provided so that Kogi citizens and residents can be saved the stress of travelling too far to secure justice.
“It is a good development that you are the one making request for the court. I am so happy that we have realized the importance of courts in our communities because though each community has its culture, civilization requires that we have such facilities as courts in our communities as they are growing” he said.
He reiterated that upon the realization that the presence of court in any community is vital and synonymous with development, government presence and brings justice closer to citizens, preliminary report had earlier been submitted in respect of the upgrading and had been considered.
“If we are bringing justice to the people it must be nearer to the people. Our DCR-Area Court, who is also your son, has done some inspection and has reported that there is a suitable structure for the Upper Area Court which has a wider jurisdiction. So, I have considered your request and it is hereby approved. Whether we like it or not, the establishment of courts is synonymous with development and presence of government. If you look at government presence in our communities, courts alone constitute about 60% of it.”
He however warned that the state judiciary was intolerant of corruption and would therefore not hesitate to discipline any of its staff found wanting in that direction. He therefore stressed that the judges to be deployed to the court must be allowed to perform their duties unhindered and without been corruptly influenced by the community.
Earlier, HRH, Oba Ayeni had disclosed that the existing Area Court was about the oldest in the entire Yagba land prompting the request for its upgrading to an Upper Area Court stating too that the community had made the request three years ago.
“In the entire Yagba land we had this one Area Court during the colonial era. The Area Court was established in 1940 and one of the oldest in the entire Yagba land. So we want it to be upgraded to an Upper Area Court because if our prayer is granted the idea of travelling from Yagba to Kabba will be eliminated.”
The Chief Judge was also told by Barr. Muhammed that the community had already renovated the Area Court structure and the building was practically ready to contain an Upper Area Court. He also intimated that “the area is no longer a village but a town with functional Divisional Police headquarters and a Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps” command.
The Oba who was visibly elated after the Chief Judge’s approval thanked his lordship on behalf of his community and prayed for the state judiciary to continue growing in strength emphasizing that his community would forever be grateful to the CJ for relieving them of the stress of travelling far to secure justice.