Mrs Bolatito Ajibade, the chief registrar of the Ondo state high court has responded to an allegation in a viral video released by one Olupelumi Fagboyegun where he claimed that he was maltreated by the judiciary.
The man in the viral video also alleged the chief judge of the state, Justice Olarenwaju Akeredolu of culpability.
In the response from the state judiciary as signed by the chief registrar, the court dismissed in its entirety the allegations, saying on no account has the state judiciary denied anyone the right to fair hearing.
The statement below:
Re: SPURIOUS ALLEGATIONS IN A VIRAL VIDEO BY ONE OLUPELUMI FAGBOYEGUN AGAINST THE ONDO STATE JUDICIARY.
It has come to the notice of the Ondo State Judiciary that someone who called himself Mr. Olupelumi Fagboyegun made several allegations against the Honorable Chief Judge and third arm of government in Ondo State particularly as it relates to judicial dispensation and administration of justice.
Obviously, the said Olupelumi was intent on tarnishing the image of the Judiciary and denting the well-earned integrity of the fountain of justice in Ondo State. However, he apparently failed to add credence, proof or substance to the allegations he glibly made to whip up sentiments in the public domain.
For the records, the Judiciary of Ondo State has, over the years, maintained high level of integrity and unbiased administration of justice to all and sundry regardless of status, age or class.
In direct response to some of the issues raised and allegations made in the video widely circulated by Mr. Olupelumi, there was never a time that this particular person was kept in prison custody on the order of any Magistrate or any Hon. Judge of Ondo State as alleged by Mr. Olupelumi. The audit conducted by the Judiciary to ascertain the facts of the matter and confirm the correct and current position of Mr. Olupelumi revealed that he was arraigned on the 19th March, 2018 in Charge No: MOW/102c/2018 for the offence of ‘Conduct likely to cause the breach of the peace’ and was granted bail on liberal terms on the same day in accordance with the law by the presiding Magistrate Mr S. O Adedapo who initially handled the matter.
The matter has proceeded to hearing and evidences adduced like any other trial and according to law. It is strange to note that a matter pending before the court can become a subject of media hype targeted at whipping up sentiments to intimidate and blackmail an institution set up by law to adjudicate and also to prosecute offences. Furthermore, from the records obtained from the file, it was observed that the matter still came up for hearing on Thursday, 11th February, 2021 and witnesses were called by the prosecution against the widely circulated allegations contained in the video.
Whoever is interested in this can actually apply for Certified True Copy of the record of the court.
Based on available records the judiciary cannot find any support for the allegations and insinuations of the man. Ondo State Judiciary is strictly committed to justice according to law and will remain so.
The public is hereby urged to discountenance the video condemning the Ondo State Judiciary, the justice sector in Ondo State and the Hon. Chief Judge.
Thank you.
Mrs Bolatito Ajibade.
Chief Registrar.
High Court of Justice,
Akure.
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