AboutWho we are

The mission of the Judiciary is to serve the people of Oyo state by efficient and accessible administration of justice for all, and to treat all persons with integrity, fairness and respect.

Vision Statement

Impeccable, swift, strong, temple of justice delivery. Alive to the exigencies of modern –day living, complexities of human interactions in a technology-driven era, dispensing justice solely for the peace of the society under the law.

Mission Statement

To serve justice to all without fear nor favor with visible strength of character, courage, self-restraint against all infractions and temptations capable of desecrating this sanctuary where timely rolling out of quality, world class adjudications and judgments, purely, according to law and for the common good, shall remain the enduring hallmark.

Our Core Value

To vehemently preserve the society from collapse into a state of “all against all” and earning the trust of all and sundry in the credibility and transparency of our adjudication process. This is because the institution is being piloted by men and women of valor, unblemished integrity, vast and skilled in the interpretation and application of multifaceted nexus of laws; who also are lovers of peace and tranquility fortified with iron resolve in dispensing “the carrots and sticks of justice with maternal equanimity and blind impartiality”.

OBJECTIVES

Making the court environment a workable place – transformation and beautification programs to make both the surroundings and the courtrooms befitting and work-friendly.
Enhancing speedy trial process through acquisition of appropriate technology.
Introducing a multi-door court house system.
Recognition and protection of child’s right by setting up of family courts at both High Courts and Magistrate levels.
Constantly boosting the morale of Judges and Magistrates as well as the entire workforce.
Initiate a healthy relationship between the workers union and the top hierarchy of the court.
Always encourage symbiotic synergy and cooperation between the police investigating team and prosecuting officers of the Ministry of Justice.
To further ease congestions in courts, alternative method of dispute resolution shall be promoted.
The criminal justice system shall continually be reviewed in line with Restorative Justice System that seeks alternative custodial sentencing and community service for convicted offenders in minor offence and misdemeanors.
Continuous upgrading and expansion of the court structure-setting up of Customary Court of Appeal, e.t.c.
Putting necessary mechanisms and controls in place towards ensuring discipline at all levels so as to eliminate acts capable of polluting public perception of the Judiciary.
Maintain a healthy matured staff through trainings, provision of comfortable vehicles, prompts payment of salaries, duty tour allowances, conferences, e.t.c, for effective administration of justice.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

(Since assumption of office of the Retired Chief Judge – Hon. Justice M.L Abimbola)

A. INFRASTRUCTURE:

Environment/Beautification – Repainting of high court buildings – High Court Complex, Ring Road, Ibadan; High Court, Oyo e.t.c.
Replacement and standardization of both court rooms and offices furniture – work friendly offices and environment.
Upgraded independent power supply to almost all judicial divisions of the state.
Renovation and reconstruction of court buildings:

i. Saki High Court (recently commissioned)
ii. Customary Court of Appeal Building
iii. Family Courts Buildings
iv. Others – Multi-door court offices, within the High Court Complex.

B. PERSONNEL:

Regular trainings/conferences for both the judicial officers and the staff.
Highly motivated judicial officers and staff with provision of comfortable and befitting vehicles, prompt payment of salaries and allowances, running costs e.t.c.
Elevated integrity amongst the judicial officers and the staff.
Harmonious working relationship between the Workers Union and the management – never joined in any general strike since the coming of the current Chief Judge.

C. ADJUDICATION PROCESS/JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION:

Multi-door court system for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
Congestion of cases in court greatly reduced.
More synergy and cooperation between the interrogating and prosecuting officers for swift dispensation of cases.
Regular prison visits – easing up congestion of prisons.
Introduction of Restorative Justice System – community service for convicted minor offenders.
Ease of filing cases (online) through the introduction of appropriate technology.
Professionalization of all departmental heads for greater efficiency.

D. ONGOING PROJECTS:

Family court in Ibadan.
Infrastructure upgrading of Customary courts, Judges and Magistrate Quarters in Saki. e.t.c

E. ACHIEVEMENT

Construction and renovation of court structures as well as beautification of court premises.
Decongestion of cases in our courts.
Setting up of Multidoor Courthouse with alternative dispute resolution center.
Passing of the administration of criminal justice and other matters bill into law.
Passing of the community service Bill into Law.
Setting up of the Customary Court of Appeal in Oyo State.
Mediation Training of Hon.Judges.
Commissioning of High Court complex, Saki.
Commissioning of Chief Magistrate Court Complex, Ago-Are.

F. ACTIVITIES

a) Be sensitive and responsive to the needs of diverse Community.
b) Increase citizens access and convenience in using the courts and the courts ability to reach sound decisions through the best available access to factual and legal services and information.
c) Treat all individual using the courts with the utmost respect.
d) Have a service oriented approach in dealing with users of the court.
e) Develop and maintain the highest possible level of services to the public and to responsibly seek, use and account for public resources.
f) Ensure that court procedures and structures best facilitate the expeditious and economical resolution to disputes.
g) Ensure equal application of the judicial process to all cases, which are fairly decided based upon legally relevant factors.

About Us

Oyo State’s Judiciary is the THIRD ARM of Government with clearly defined constitutional functions. Such functions include;
- Interpretation of the Constitution and other Laws and Statutes
- Definition of Citizens’ rights
- Settlement of disputes and;
- Protecting these weak and vulnerable groups.
The State Judiciary also adjudicates on criminal and civil matters and gives legal authorization to transactions and documentations on behalf of the State.
The State Judiciary has the State Chief Judge appointed by the Governor as its head, and there are sets of hierarchically arranged courts; State High Courts, and Customary Courts. There are also Special Courts, such as Revenue Courts, Sanitation Courts to serve specific purposes.
The Judiciary preserves the sanctity of the rule of law by interpreting the laws (where there are conflicts) and settling disputes (thereby ensuring equity and maintenance of justice).

The Chief Judge

The Chief Judge is the chief administrative officer as well as the spokesperson for the judicial branch. He is the chairman judicial service commission. The chief judge presides over oral arguments before the court.

The Chief Registrar

The Chief Registrar is the head of administration and chief accounting officer of the Oyo state judiciary

The Deputy Chief Registrar (Admin & General)

is saddled with the responsibility of assisting Chief Registrar in overseeing the Administrative matters in the Judiciary.

The Deputy Chief Registrar (Probate and Community Service)

Handling all matters pertaining to WILLS and devolution of the Estate of Deceased persons.

The Deputy Chief Registrar (Appeal)

Performing the duties of supervising and overseeing the operations of the Appeal Department of Oyo State Judiciary.

The Deputy Chief Registrar (Family Court)

The office of the DCR (Family court) sees to the administrative matters concerning the family court

The Deputy Chief Registrar (Library service)

Overseeing the main Library of the High court to ensure safety of the materials supplied, re-stocking and inventory.

Deputy Chief Registrar (Litigation and Law Reporting)

The function of DCR (Law Reporting) is to publish selected judgments of the judges of the High Court of Oyo State on quarterly basis.

MEET THE CHIEF JUDGE

Hon. Justice Iyabo Subulade Yerima was born on the 8^th day September,1958 into the illustrious family of Akinloye of Oje-Itutaba Ibadan, in Ibadan North East Local Government.

She attended Omolewa Nursery and Primary School, Oritamefa, Ibadan from 1962 - 1969 and St Margret Girl’s Secondary School, Ilesa from January 1970 - July 1974. She also attended Ibadan Grammar School, Ibadan from 1974 - 1975. She did her A-level in The Polytechnic, Ibadan from 1975 - 1977. His lordship was in University of Ife (now O.A.U) Ile-ife, from 1977 - 1981, where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English and Philosophy, before proceeding to the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom (September 1981 - December 1983) for her L.L.B.

She proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos for her B.L (Barrister at Law) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985.

She served her NYSC in the Faculty of Law, University of Ife, as an Assistant to the Faculty Officer and in the Law Reporting Section, from 1985 - 1986.

His lordship began her legal career in Kaduna State, with her pupillage at Baba Amartey & Co. (Barristers & Solicitors) and went on to set up her own flourishing Law office/Chambers – Yerima & Co. (Barristers & Solicitors) also in Zaria, Kaduna State, from May 1986 - April 2001.

His Lordship was sworn in as a Judge of the High court of Oyo State in June 2001.

His Lordship has attended several International and National Conferences. She has received several awards, among which are:

Merit Award from the Lower Court Judges Association of Oyo State (December2022)
ExemplaryLeadership Award (July 2012)

She has served on several committees, one of which is - Chairman, Sub-Committee on Non-Custodial Sentencing, Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, Oyo State.

She is currently the Administrative Judge for the Oyo State Judiciary.

His lordship enjoys Reading, Travelling, Organization of Social and Administrative functions, she is also an active participant in Church and Evangelistic Activities.

She is married, with children and grandchildren.