By Idris Animasaun
Your Excellency,
I write to you as a concerned citizen and social change advocate, compelled by the need to highlight an ongoing trend within the Oyo State Judiciary that, if left unaddressed, could have far-reaching consequences. It is imperative that the welfare of judicial officers is prioritized in a manner that reflects fairness, equity, and a commitment to justice for all.
A few days ago, the President of the Ibadan Chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barrister Ibrahim Lawal, made a passionate appeal regarding the welfare of magistrates in the state. In a report filed on March 4, 2025, by The Guardian’s Rotimi Agboluaje, Barrister Lawal decried the lack of operational vehicles for magistrates and Presidents of Grade A Customary Courts. He described the situation as appalling, as judicial officers, custodians of justice, are forced to rely on public transportation to carry out their duties.
In what seemed like a swift response, on March 10, 2025, reports emerged that your administration donated operational vehicles to certain members of the Oyo State Judiciary to improve their welfare. This gesture was commendable and in line with your track record of prioritizing the well-being of public servants.
However, further information has revealed concerns of selective implementation in this noble effort. While magistrates under the High Court of Justice benefitted, their counterparts in the Grade A Customary Court of Appeal were excluded. This exclusion raises questions about fairness and equity, particularly as these judicial officers hold senior positions within the judiciary.
For context, in 2017, 23 judicial officers were appointed to the state judiciary, including nine as Presidents of Grade A Customary Courts of Appeal. Over the years, this number has changed due to appointments and resignations, yet these officers, who are among the most senior in the judiciary, were not considered for this recent gesture. This raises concerns about their treatment and the broader implications for the judiciary’s morale and effectiveness.
Your Excellency, this is not the first instance of what appears to be a systemic sidelining of the Customary Court of Appeal. During the celebration of the 2024/2025 Legal Year at Oja-Oba Central Mosque in October 2024, an incident further demonstrated this bias. The President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Tajudeen Muhammad Abdul Ganiyu, who, by virtue of his position, is the second most senior judicial officer in the state, was bypassed in favor of someone else to perform a religious duty traditionally reserved for the most senior Muslim in the judiciary. This nearly led to unrest, a situation only salvaged by the swift intervention of Deputy Governor Barrister Bayo Lawal.
Furthermore, Hon. Justice Tajudeen Muhammad Abdul Ganiyu, who was appointed as a Judge of the Customary Court of Appeal in 2018 and confirmed as its President in April 2024, has yet to receive an official vehicle. He continues to manage a six-year-old operational vehicle, despite his esteemed position.
While both the High Court and the Customary Court of Appeal are statutory creations of the Constitution with separate but coordinate jurisdictions, the recent pattern of exclusion is disheartening. Such treatment not only diminishes the leadership of the Customary Court of Appeal but also sends a discouraging message to its members, who may now feel that serving at the High Court is the only viable path to recognition and benefits. Worse still, this neglect exposes them to unnecessary risks and psychological strain, which could impact their ability to dispense justice effectively.
Your Excellency, you have built a reputation for fairness, justice, and equity in governance. Your commitment to upholding the rule of law has been evident throughout your administration, and it is in that spirit that I urge you to address this issue urgently. Ensuring the welfare of all judicial officers, without bias or favoritism, will further strengthen public confidence in the judiciary and reinforce your legacy as a leader committed to justice for all.
I trust in your sense of fairness and believe that prompt action will be taken to correct this imbalance. Thank you for your time and anticipated intervention.
Idris Animasaun
Architect & Social Change Advocate
