By Ola Ajayi

IBADAN – IN order to expedite administration of justice in Oyo State, 15 new magistrates and nine presidents of the newly introduced Grade ‘A’ Customary Courts were yesterday sworn in by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Munta Abimbola.

The swearing in which took place at the conference room of the Oyo State High Court was attended by the chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan branch, Mr Akeem Agbaje; former NBA chairman, Kazeem Gbadamosi; ex-chief judge of the state, Justice Nurudeen Adekola, former Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr. Ojo Adebayo and several others.

Abimbola, who said no fewer than 465 cases are pending in each of the magistrate courts said the magistrates and the presidents came in at a time when the perception of the public about administration of justice was at its lowest ebb.

“You have to redeem that image. Contribution of Governor Abiola Ajimobi, has made it possible for us to take this giant leap in the judiciary of Oyo State. We only have 20 magistrates in Oyo State, as large as the state is. We have almost 465 cases, pending in each of the courts; that is why we have a lot of delays in the magistrate courts,” he said.