Eminent Oyo State citizen, Adetayo Adekunle, has expressed outrage and disappointment over the exclusion of a Life Bencher and revered retired Justice Munta Ladipo Abimbola from the Oyo State Merit Award.
Abimbola is the longest-serving Chief Judge in the history of Oyo State and some of his judgments are cited as authorities as far as South Korea.
In a scathing statement, Adekunle described the nomination and selection process as “a pack of shit”, alleging that the Saidi Fijabi-led Committee failed to recognize the immense contributions of Justice Abimbola to the justice sector in the state and country.
“Justice Abimbola’s exclusion from this prestigious award is a total misnomer and a travesty of the values Oyo State holds dear,” Adekunle said. “while on the bench, His Lordship’s dedication to upholding the law and promoting justice in Oyo State was unparalleled, and his omission from this award is a gross oversight that demands immediate rectification.”
Even after leaving the bench upon his statutory retirement, he has since earned a PhD and is mentoring the next generation of lawyers in a number of private Universities in Nigeria.
Adekunle questioned the criteria used by the Committee in selecting recipients, suggesting that it was biased and lacked transparency. “We demand answers from the Fijabi-led Committee: what were the criteria used to exclude Justice Abimbola? Was it because he’s a Prince of Saki, Oke-Ogun? Was it politics or personal vendetta?”
The statement concluded by urging the Oyo State government to intervene and ensure that Justice Abimbola is given the recognition he deserves.
“We will not stand idly by and watch our patriots treated as unsung heroes. We demand justice for Justice Abimbola!” Adekunle said.
