Aiyedatiwa Restores Grassroots Justice System After 17 Years
Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Olamide Oladiji, was on Thursday formally inducted as one of the new Justices of the Peace (JP), a recognition he described as a renewed mandate to deepen service, fairness and peaceful coexistence across the state.
The ceremony, held at The Dome, Akure, saw Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa confer the honour on distinguished citizens as part of efforts to revive a justice mechanism that had been inactive since 2008.
Oladiji, while speaking shortly after taking the oath, expressed appreciation to the state government and judiciary for restoring what he described as a critical grassroots conflict-resolution system.
“This honour is not just a title. It is a responsibility to stand for fairness, equity and peace.
As representatives of the people, we must ensure that justice is not only done but seen to be done, right from our communities to the courts,” he said.
He added that the appointment represents “a renewed call to serve with humility and integrity,” noting his readiness to work with security agencies, traditional institutions and local structures to foster harmony and prevent avoidable disputes.
The Speaker observed that the reinstatement of the JP system will help curtail local disagreements before they escalate into major crises, strengthen mediation frameworks and enhance neighbourhood peace.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, in his remarks, said the initiative signals a major step toward rebuilding public confidence in justice administration at the community level.
He described the JP office as a sacred trust requiring integrity, wisdom and compassion.
The governor also outlined ongoing judicial reforms, including the expansion of the state’s judiciary, recruitment of additional state counsels and the near completion of a modern Judiciary Complex featuring modular courts, a ceremonial court and a public law library.
Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, traced the history of the JP institution and described the newly inaugurated class as a vital bridge between government and communities.
He stressed that selection was based strictly on moral standing, integrity and community influence.
The Chief Judge of Ondo State, Justice Olusegun Odusola, represented by Justice Akintan Osadebe, also highlighted the legal and quasi-judicial relevance of the role.
Among the eminent personalities honoured alongside the Speaker were top traditional rulers, security chiefs, senior public officials and respected clergy, including the Olowo of Owo and Chairman of the Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III; the Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo; and the Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, Odundun II.