By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State House of Assembly has reiterated it continued support and collaboration with the judiciary in order to advance the administration of Justice in the state.

The House Committee on Judiciary and public petitions who stated this during an oversight function to the State High Court and the State Ministry of Justice Akure, stressed the need for a world-class justice system that works for everyone in the State.

Chairman of the Committe ,Steven Abitogun explained that a society where justice is not served, often results to anarchy, hence the need for continued collaboration for effective judicial system.

The Committee commended the Chief Judge ,Justice Olusegun Odusola and his team for improving the judicial system in the State, while assuring of the legislature’s support to continually improve the system for the benefits of all, especially the common man.

The Lawmakers asked the management to present documents of their budget performance to the committee so as to enable the legislature know and address challenges before the next budget.

On financial autonomy, the committee assured that the House would partner with the judiciary in ensuring that it is financially independent to achieve the set goals.

According to the Committee,the observation raised by the Chief Judge and other senior Judges during the visit, especially in financing the judiciary is well noted, calling on them to always ensure regular feedback for prompt attention.

Earlier, The CJ Justice Odusola appreciated the legislature for its support, noting that the judicial system of the state has improved as there have been provision of fair justice to individuals while it ensures that the rights of the ordinary citizens are protected at all times.

The CJ however, sought the support of the committee on Financial Autonomy to help it perform optimally, explaining that to retain greater public confidence, the judiciary must be independent of all forms of interference so that it can maintain the highest level of responsiveness, professional standards and integrity.

While highlighting the challenges of the judiciary to include inadequate funding,he sought for the intervention of the Lawmakers in accessing adequate funds and getting an increase budgetary provision for a viable system.

At the Ministry of Justice, the Committee while charging it to continue to uphold the principles of the rule of law, for betterment of the citizens, it harped on the need to key into modern day innovations as seen in other countries of the world.

The Lawmakers called for a symbolic relationship between the tiers of government to enact and review laws for more development.

Pledging support to the Ministry, the Committee tasked the Management to come up with a robust budget proposal to achieve the set goal.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Kayode Ajulo, SAN, who welcomed the Committee, highlighted the Ministry’s reformative agenda to include access to justice, justice sector reform, uniform law enforcement procedures, obedience to court order and law, youth, children women and persons with disability laws among others.

He however sought the support of the legislature to help surmount it challenges.