The Judiciary has been called upon to continue to discharge its responsibilities without fear, favour or partisan influence as this has been attributed to how public confidence in democracy is strengthened.

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, made the call when he delivered an address at the Special Mosque Service to usher in the 2026/2027 Legal Year, held at the Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta.

Represented by the Head of Service, Mr. Olanrewaju Saka, the governor said the Executive will continue to respect the separation of powers as well as the constitutional independence of the Judiciary and added that the Executive support is intended to strengthen institutions and not to influence judgments.

"A strong Judiciary is one that can hold every citizen and every institution accountable under the law, including government itself. That is not a weakness of government; it is evidence of a functioning democracy. The same principle guides our “Building Our Future Together” Agenda. Building the future is not only about physical development; it is also about building institutions that will outlive individual administrations.

We want an Ogun where the citizen knows that the law provides protection, where businesses know that agreements can be enforced, where communities know that disputes can be peacefully resolved and where no one is compelled to seek justice through the dangerous path of self-help", the governor said.

Gov. Abiodun assured that his administration will continue to work with the leadership of the Judiciary to identify priority areas requiring attention, particularly in technology, infrastructure, security, capacity development and the general working environment of judicial officers and staff. 

"We shall continue to support reforms that make justice faster without compromising fairness, and more accessible without compromising judicial independence. We must also remember that the preservation of law and order is not solely the responsibility of the security agencies, it is a collective social obligation. Families must teach respect for lawful authority; religious institutions must preach peaceful coexistence; communities must reject self-help; lawyers must promote lawful remedies; security agencies must act within the law; and the courts must remain firm, fair and accessible. When each institution performs its role responsibly, society becomes more stable", the gov. said.

While congratulating the Chief Judge, the Judges, Magistrates, legal practitioners and the entire Judiciary on the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year, Gov. Abiodun appreciated their service, valued their independence and recognised the indispensable place they occupy in the governance and development of the State and added that "as we continue Building Our Future Together, let us build not only roads and institutions, but also a culture of justice, fairness, obedience to law and peaceful coexistence" and prayed for God's continued protection and guidance on Ogun State and her people.

In a lecture titled "Nigerian Youth and the Spate of Criminality - the Prophetic Model on Call", the Imam, Crescent University, Abeokuta, Imam Abulabeebah Busari condemned the rate at which crime is being perpetrated in the society and attributed it to failed parenting/family as parenting is a full time responsibility which must not be taken with levity and the home is the first learning Institution of a child.

He charged adults who are not ready to offer good parenting by protecting, preserving and propagating their children's wellbeing not to give birth at all, as accounts would be given on every child in their custody and added that no excuse is good enough for raising criminals in the society.

Imams from the senatorial districts of the State took turns to pray for the Judiciary, Ogun State and the nation at large while translation from Reading from the Holy Quran, Q31:vs 25-48 was handled by the Hon. Justice O. AbdulWahab Onafowokan, who represented the Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Mosunmola Dipeolu.