Daud Olatunji
The 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Ogun State Judiciary opened on Monday with a strong call for justice, fairness, and peaceful coexistence, as Governor Dapo Abiodun, and Islamic and Christian clerics joined voices to canvass equity in judicial practice.
The event which took place simultaneously at Egba Central mosque and Cathedral of St Peter, Ake ,Abeokuta had prominent personalities in attendance.
Delivering the keynote lecture at the Egba Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta, the Guest Lecturer and Medical Director of Lafiyah Medical Centre, Dr. Rabiu Adeneye Kusimo, charged judicial officers to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s model of fairness and reconciliation in their rulings.
Speaking on the topic “Sustaining Peaceful Co-existence in a Multi-religious Society: The Model of Prophet Muhammad,” Kusimo reminded lawyers, magistrates and judges that their roles in the justice system must reflect their faith and moral responsibility to society.
“The legal year is a moment for reflection. True lordship belongs to Allah, and Muslim practitioners must see the Qur’an as a manual even in their area of duty.
Justice in itself is assured when the leadership and followership are fair in their respective capacities,” he said.
He stressed that religion must be at the heart of societal harmony, insisting that peace and justice are inseparable.
“We all should be reformers, upholders of truth, and examples of excellence as the Prophet was. His life of fairness, reconciliation, and humility must inspire judicial officers to dispense justice without fear or favour,” Kusimo added.
Citing historical examples, Kusimo recalled how Prophet Muhammad reconciled warring families over the placement of a sacred foundation stone, noting that leaders must learn to avert conflict through fairness and dialogue.
He urged judges, magistrates, and lawyers to “create equal pedestals for both the poor and the powerful,” and to let their prayers and articles of faith translate into action when dispensing justice.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hazmat, echoed the call for fairness, saying justice must be accessible to all.
While speaking at Ake Cathedral, the governor disclosed that Ogun State had secured approval to establish its own division of the Court of Appeal.
“I am pleased to announce that we have finally received formal approval for the establishment of the Ogun State Division of the Federal Court of Appeal.
He added that this will ease the burden on the people of the state and ensure equitable dispensation of justice closer to home,” Abiodun said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the judiciary through continuous appointments of new judges and by creating an enabling environment for efficient judicial service delivery.
In her response, the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, described the approval of the Court of Appeal Division as a “dream come true.”
She noted that over 85 percent of Ogun appeals were previously handled in Ibadan, stressing that the new division would reduce congestion and bring relief to both lawyers and litigants.
“It has been my prayer that Ogun State would have its own Court of Appeal before I leave office. This is a tremendous achievement that will benefit our people and save them the stress of constant travel to Ibadan,” Justice Dipeolu said.
In his sermon at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, the Anglican Bishop of Ijebu-Southwest Diocese, Rt. Rev. Babatunde Ogunbanwo, urged the judiciary to remain humble and fair, describing it as the most powerful arm of government.
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