The state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has presented eleven Toyota Fortuner Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV)s to judges in the state.
The Chief Judge (CJ), Hon. Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara, also got a 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser for the use of his office.
At the official presentation of the vehicles on Tuesday to the affected judges at the state High Court Ilorin, Chief Judge Adebara disclosed that in February this year, five Toyota Fortuner SUVs were allocated to five of the state High Court judges from the money made available by the state government under the 2023 budget.
The Chief Judge added that five new Toyota Fortuner SUVs procured under the 2024 approved budget would be allocated to another five of the judges of the state High Court on April 30, 2024.
“Also, this morning, His Excellency Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq released another seven Toyota vehicles to the judiciary. Six of which are meant for the six new judges to be appointed,” Adebara announced.
The Chief Judge explained further that the purchase of a brand new vehicle is a condition precedent for the appointment of a new judge.
“These appointments are in the offing, and this is one of the requirements of the National Judicial Council (NJC). There must be a vehicle on the ground before the appointment of a new judge for inspection. His Excellency has supplied six vehicles, and the seventh one is for the office of the Chief Judge,” he said.
“I want to sincerely thank His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq CON who has been so friendly to the judiciary of Kwara State. He has been treating our requests with despatch in positive ways.
“What we are witnessing today is another positive impact of his administration on the money allocated to the judiciary in the 2024 budget under vehicle procurement. He promptly approved it. The money was released to the judiciary”, he said.