Ondo AG: Zero Tolerance for Graft as State Bolsters Justice System

AKURE — Ondo State has drawn a firm line against corruption in public service, with Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Kayode Ajulo, SAN, declaring on Monday that the government will not treat the scourge as normal, acceptable or inevitable.

Speaking at the Post-NBA General Justice Reform 2026 interactive session themed “Raising the Bar” in the state capital, Ajulo described corruption as an evil that steals from the poor, weakens institutions, destroys public trust and diverts resources meant for roads, schools, hospitals, security and human development.

“Let me state this clearly and without ambiguity: Ondo State stands firmly against corruption in all its forms,” he said. “It rewards dishonesty and punishes integrity. That is why the state cannot and will not treat corruption as normal, acceptable or inevitable.”

The Senior Advocate emphasised that public office is a trust, not a private opportunity. Government contracts must not become tools for personal enrichment, public resources must not be diverted for private gain, and processes must not be manipulated to favour friends, associates or political allies. No person, however powerful or connected, should consider himself above the law, he stressed.

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Ajulo framed the state’s stance as one of accountability and transparency rather than persecution. “It is about protecting the commonwealth. It is about ensuring that every naira entrusted to government is applied for the benefit of the people,” he said.

He outlined ongoing measures to reinforce due process, tighten scrutiny of contracts and agreements, insist on proper authorisation, protect public assets, and support lawful investigations and prosecutions where wrongdoing is established. The Ministry of Justice, he noted, is being repositioned as a stronger, modern institution capable of safeguarding the state’s legal and economic interests. This includes expanded use of Alternative Dispute Resolution in disputes involving government agencies to speed resolution, recover assets and cut litigation costs, as well as stricter verification of the identity, capacity and authority of those seeking to execute agreements on behalf of companies.

The attorney-general also called for greater investment in the ministry and the judiciary—particularly in manpower, technology, legal research, case management, court facilities and professional training—arguing that the legal profession must adapt to developments in artificial intelligence, digital evidence, cybercrime and data protection.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by his Chief of Staff, Segun Omojuwa, declared the event open and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary and upholding the rule of law. He highlighted the increase in the number of High Court judges from 24 to 35—the first such expansion since Ondo State was created in 1976—as a key step to ease workloads, clear backlogs and improve justice delivery. Six judges were appointed in October 2024, with the process for five more already under way.

The governor disclosed that 44 additional lawyers have been employed into the state’s legal service (20 in 2024 and 24 in 2026) and that magistrates’ remuneration has been reviewed. Other interventions include the establishment of an Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force, described as one of the administration’s most impactful initiatives, and the May 2026 passage by the State House of Assembly of amendments to the Ondo State Law Commission Law, 2001, and the Ondo State Office of the Public Defender Law. Those amendments aim to strengthen the administrative and institutional structures of the two agencies and improve access to justice for indigent and vulnerable citizens.

Aiyedatiwa stressed that Ondo is governed by the rule of law, not by whims and caprices. Institutions must be respected, and every citizen, irrespective of status, must have confidence that justice, fairness and due process will prevail. He urged law officers to see themselves not merely as government employees but as custodians of justice and advisers to government—advising fearlessly, professionally and objectively while defending the legitimate interests of the state in a manner consistent with law, justice and the public interest.

The reforms form part of a broader effort that has already produced measurable results, including an estimated 18 per cent reduction in case backlogs and shorter average trial durations following the appointment of additional judges and related measures. The Anti-Land Grabbing Task Force continues to pursue unlawful occupation, sale or allocation of public lands, with prosecutions underscoring that the law respects no one.

Ajulo’s message and the governor’s commitments underline a consistent policy: public resources belong to the people, accountability is non-negotiable, and the justice system must serve as both shield and foundation for good governance in Ondo State.