Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has appointed Justice Lekan Ogunmoye as the acting Chief Judge of the state. This announcement was made on Tuesday evening by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media, Olayinka Oyebode, in a statement released in Ado Ekiti.

The appointment, which takes effect from November 5, 2024, follows the powers vested in the Governor under Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). Justice Ogunmoye steps into the role following the passing of the former Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, who died on Monday after a brief illness.

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Born on November 6, 1963, Justice Ogunmoye was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987 and was appointed a judge in April 2010. Governor Oyebanji expressed his best wishes for the new Acting Chief Judge, hoping for a successful tenure.

The late Hon. Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, who had served as the Chief Judge of Ekiti, was remembered by the Chief Registrar of the Ekiti State Judiciary, Olanike Adegoke, as a “respected jurist” committed to fairness and justice. Adegoke praised Adeyeye’s immeasurable contributions to the judiciary and to the state, describing his legacy as one that will be deeply missed.