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Idris Ahmed, Lokoja.
Kogi State House of Assembly has confirmed the appointment of Justice Henry Adebola Olusiyi as the substantive Chief Judge of the state, while Justice John Bayo Olowosegun was equally confirmed as President of Kogi State Customary Court of Appeal.
The two Judicial Officers were confirmed during the house plenary on Tuesday, after the Speaker Hon. Matthew Kolawole read a communication from the Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, informing the Assembly of the recommendations by the National Judicial Commission for their appointment.
It could be recalled that, Hon. Justice Henry Adebola Olusiyi was appointed as the acting Chief Judge of the State following the sudden demise of the former office holder, Late Hon. Justice Nasiru Ajanah who died on 28th June, 2020.
Justice Olowosegun also replaced late Justice Ibrahim Shaibu Atadoga, who also died in June 2020.
The governor in the letter to the house, said Justice Olusiyi was nominated for screening and confirmation in line with section 271 (1) of the 1999 constitution as amended.
After the screening, Hon. Bello Hassan Balogun, the majority leader representing Ajaokuta State Constituency, moved a motion that Justice Olusiyi and Justice Olowosegun should take a bow and leave.
He said this was necessary in view of their track records in the administration of justice in the state. His motion was seconded by the member representing Igalamela Odolu Constituency, Barr. Cosmos Atabor.
Prince Mathew Kolawole, the Speaker, who announced the confirmation, directed the Clerk of the house to inform the governor of the confirmation.
Hon Justice Henry Adebola Olusiyi hails from Igbaruku-Okeri in Yagba West Local Government Area Kogi State, born on 11th January, 1956, and started his educational career at St. Michael’s Primary School, Kaduna from January, 1962 to December, 1966 finished his primary education at E.C.W.A Primary School, Mopa Kogi State between January, 1967 and December, 1968.
He enrolled for his secondary school at the E.C.W.A Secondary School, Mopa, Kogi State, in January, 1969 and rounded up in June 1973.
He secured admission into the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria in July, 1974 and graduated in 1978 with an LL.B (Hons.) before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in October, 1978 and by July, 1979, he was called to the Nigerian Bar after successfully completing the programme of the school and obtaining his B.L.
Hon. Justice Olusiyi’s jurisprudential, administrative and managerial depth of working experience started as a state Counsel at the Ministry of Justice Maiduguri, Borno State where he had his mandatory N.Y.S.C scheme between August, 1979 and July, 1980.
He subsequently became a Magistrate Grade II in the Kwara State Judiciary, Ilorin.
He became a Magistrate Grade I and later progressed to become a Chief magistrate in July, 1980.
He served in this position up to March 6, 1988 when he was appointed the Chief Registrar at the High Court of Justice of the Kwara State Judiciary which he resumed with at the Kogi State Judiciary, Lokoja on August 28, 1991 upon the creation of Kogi State. He was appointed a Judge of the Kogi State High Court on June 5th, 1992.
Meanwhile, the house has sworn in Hon. Atule Egbunu as the lawmaker representing Ibaji State Constituency.
Egbunu replaced John Abba who died in June, 2020Justic.
