Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced that the federal government has approved the establishment of a Court of Appeal in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The governor disclosed this landmark development at a special church thanksgiving service marking the 2025/2026 legal year, held at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta.
Abiodun described the approval as a major stride in his administration’s efforts to bring justice closer to the people and ease the burden on the Ibadan Division of the appellate court.
“We have finally received the formal approval for the establishment of the Ogun State division of the Federal Court of Appeal in Abeokuta. This is indeed a landmark achievement of an initiative proudly and aggressively championed by our administration,” he said.
According to him, the court’s establishment would ensure quicker dispensation of justice, reduce case backlogs, and strengthen access to justice across Ogun State.
The governor also stressed that justice thrives only on integrity, impartiality, and courage, urging judicial officers to remain dedicated to fairness and protection of the vulnerable.
“A strong, independent, and upright judiciary provides a pathway to good governance, economic development, and social stability. As a responsive and responsible administration, we appreciate the place of the judiciary in entrenching the ideals and practices of democracy,” he added.
Abiodun pledged his administration’s full support for judicial officers who will serve in the newly created division, promising to prioritise their welfare, provide housing, and supply the resources required for efficient justice delivery.
In his sermon, Bishop Babatunde Ogunbanwo of the Ijebu South/West Diocese described the judiciary as the most powerful arm of government — one capable of “giving or taking life, dethroning or enthroning kings, and deciding the fate of elected leaders.”
He urged judges to act with fairness to all, regardless of social or economic status, while also balancing justice with mercy.
“Justice without mercy could be cruel,” the bishop cautioned.