Forgiving Spirit: Governor Fayose Swears In Judge Who Headed His Impeachment Panel

Ekiti state governor, Ayo Fayose on Friday, October 24, 2014 swore in the judge who headed the panel that impeached him as governor in 2006 as a judge in the state, Vanguard reports.

The judge, Bamidele Omotoso was sworn by governor Fayose, who said he negated the wishes of some of his supporters in making the decision to swear the judge in, adding that his decision to swear him in was a demonstration of his forgiving spirit.

In the same vein, governor Fayose also announced the promotion of the official who signed the warrant for his arrest at Ikoyi prisons, Lagos during his murder case, Lawrence Ojo to the position of acting permanent secretary of the ministry of justice.

Omotoso, who is a lawyer based in the Ekiti state capital, Ado-Ekiti had been cleared in 2012 by the National Judicial Council (NJC) as a judge but was not sworn in by outgoing governor Kayode Fayemi.

The governor said: “Few days after my inauguration, some people came to me and reminded me of the role played by Omotoso during my impeachment saga. They said I should not swear him in as a judge of the state High Court. I am not here to revenge,vengeance belongs to God. If you want to report anybody to me bring the person here,otherwise I will invite the two of you.”

Governor Fayose used the opportunity to extend his hand of friendship to both the chief judge of the state, Ayodeji Daramola and speaker of the state house of assembly.

He said: “I plead with the other two arms of government that Ekiti should come first. You may not like my face and I may not like yours, but Ekiti should be number one. I am ready to work with the Assembly. I am a man of uncommon history, coming back to office after eight years is divine. I have a stern warning from God, do not avenge. There is nothing personal I have against the judiciary. 

“People would want to be where you are and life is about struggles. We need more judges and we will help in making them comfortable in the discharge of their duties. There is need for fair hearing. I want the other arms of government to give my administration a fair hearing and the chance to perform,” he added.

Omotosho thanked the governor for appointing him, pledging to abide by his oath of office.