Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has announced that the new court complex under construction in the state will be named after the first female Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Oyebisi Folayemi Omoleye.
Oyebanji made the announcement on Tuesday during a special valedictory court session held in honour of Justice Omoleye at the High Court Complex in Ado-Ekiti.
The governor said the decision was in recognition of Omoleye’s outstanding contributions to the administration of justice and her dedicated service to Ekiti State and Nigeria.
Justice Omoleye, who served as the first female Chief Judge of Ekiti State, had a judicial career spanning several decades. She served at different levels of the judiciary before her elevation to the Court of Appeal, where she is retiring after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70.
At the valedictory session, Governor Oyebanji also presented a brand-new Toyota SUV to the retiring jurist as a token of appreciation for her service to the judiciary and her contributions to the state.
The governor commended Omoleye for what he described as an exemplary and blemish-free judicial career, expressing hope that she would return to the court premises in the coming months to commission the new court complex named in her honour.
Omoleye celebrated for judicial serviceEarlier, the representative of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ali Gumel, described Justice Omoleye as a distinguished judicial officer who contributed significantly to the development of the Nigerian judiciary and administration of justice.
Gumel commended her professionalism, integrity and commitment to justice throughout her years on the bench.Also speaking, the Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata, SAN, described Omoleye as an exceptional jurist and accomplished lawyer.
Apata said Nigerians and the people of Ekiti State owed the retiring judge a debt of gratitude for her contributions to the administration of justice and the development of the legal profession.
Omoleye retires with gratitude, no regretIn her response, Justice Omoleye thanked God for guiding and sustaining her throughout her judicial career.
She said her journey had not been merely a succession of offices but a series of experiences that shaped her understanding of law, public service and humanity.
Omoleye served as Chief Judge of Ekiti State from 2003 to 2006 before her elevation to the Court of Appeal, where she spent 20 years.
Justice Omoleye also expressed appreciation to Governor Oyebanji, former Ekiti State Governor Adeniyi Adebayo and others who supported her throughout her career.She said the presence of Governor Oyebanji at the valedictory session meant a lot to her.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olayemi Adelami; Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN; human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN; and other legal luminaries.
