Meet The Newly Sworn In President Of The Osun Customary Court Of Appeal, Hon. Justice Shiyanbola

Hon. Justice Raheem Akanbi Shiyanbola

The Osun State Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday sworn in the newly-confirmed President of the State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Raheem Akanbi Shiyanbola.

Hon. Justice Raheem Akanbi Shiyanbola, a native of Ede, Ede South Local Government, Osun State, Nigeria; was born on the 1st of October, 1960. He attended the University of Lagos, between 1980-83, and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1984. He was called to Bar on the 17th August, 1984.

Hon. Justice Shiyanbola, after his NYSC at Legal Aids Council (1984-85), Benin City, He started his own law firm, R.A. Shiyanbola & Co. in August 1985. He also worked at M.A. Fatoki & Co. in 1986, Osun State Ministry of Justice (2000 - 2005). He was the Chairman, Tenement Rate Tribunal, Ede Local Government between 1992 - 1997, and also a Part-Time Lecturer at The Federal Polytechnic, Ede, Osun State between 1994 - 1998.

Hon. Justice Shiyanbola was elevated to the High Court bench as a Judge of the High Court in August 2005.

His published works include: "Justice System in Nigeria-Dispensation of - Causes of Delay - Solutions (Being a Paper Delivered at the Bar Week of the NBA Osogbo Branch, Osun State)", "Circumstantial Evidence in Criminal Justice - Being a Paper Presented at the Quarterly Seminar of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria Osun State Branch".

Speaking on at the swearing-in ceremony held at the Multi-purpose Hall of the Local Government Service Commission, Abere, Osogbo, Governor Oyetola lauded Justice Shiyanbola, describing his elevation as a celebration of merit and a further advancement of the culture of unalloyed professionalism that has characterised the Osun Judiciary.

Oyetola charged the new Jurist to sustain the widely-acclaimed tradition of excellence for which the Osun judiciary is regarded.

He indicated that when this is done, there is no doubt that the trust reposed in the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man will be sustained.

The Governor further assured that his administration will continue to ensure that it prioritises the welfare of judicial officers and provide the requisite infrastructure that can enhance the discharge of their duties as esteemed servants in the Temple of Justice.

He pledged the sustained commitment of his administration to the Arm’s continued quest to making the Osun Judiciary an exemplar in the comity of judiciaries across the country.

Oyetola, who harped on the critical tenets of incorruptibility, fairness, integrity, fearlessness, in dispensing justice to the people, charged Shiyanbola to uphold the sacred responsibility of the leadership of the Customary Court of Appeal to ensure that justice is not only served but must be seen to have been served in the interest of the people and by extension, that of the society.

“As you know, the Appellate Customary Court is a critical arm of the judiciary that must raise standards by giving justice to citizens denied same at the lower courts.

“In doing this, such critical tenets as incorruptibility, fairness, integrity, fearlessness, in dispensing justice to the people must never be compromised.

“The leadership of the Customary Court of Appeal, as you know, holds a sacred responsibility to ensure that justice is not only served but must be seen to have been served in the interest of the people and by extension, that of the society.

“When this is done, there is no doubt that the trust reposed in the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man will be sustained”, Oyetola said.

Oyetola also lauded the cordial yet uncompromising relationships that exist among the three organs, adding that Osun has experienced significant strides in all the sectors of its economy.

He continued: “Going by the cordial yet uncompromising relationships that exist among the three organs, our State has experienced significant strides in all the sectors of our economy.

“In many ways, the functional interaction among us shows, unequivocally, what is possible when there are shared focus and commitment towards societal development”, he added.

Speaking after taking the oath of allegiance and oath of office, Shiyanbola pledged to deliver his duties with a high sense of diligence and competence, saying, “with my emergence as the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, my 🐓 is ever ready to crow at dawn in my new office”.

OSUN NEWSROOM reports that the appointment and confirmation of Justice Shiyanbola are sequels to the retirement of his predecessor, Justice Wasiu Akanbi, from service.

Those in attendance were Osun Deputy Governor, Mr Benedict Alabi; Osun Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo; former Osun House of Assembly Speaker and Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Hon. Adejare Bello; Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon. Simeon Popoola; Secretary to the Osun Government, Wole Oyebamiji; Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Prince Abdullah Adeyanju Binuyo; Osun Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Barrister Femi Akande; other members of the State Executive Council; members of the State Judicial Service Commission; top government functionaries, among others.