How Collapsed Substandard High Court Building Constructed Under Fayose’s Tenure Cost Ekiti Chief Judge His Life

Ekiti State's Chief Judge, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye, has sadly passed away due to trauma and injuries sustained in 2023 when a poorly constructed high court complex in Ado Ekiti collapsed on him, SaharaReporters has learnt.

The building, erected during Ayodele Fayose's governorship, gave way, causing severe injuries to Justice Adeyeye.

He was sworn in as Chief Judge in May 2021 by then-Governor Kayode Fayemi, taking over from Justice Ayodeji Daramola upon his retirement.

SaharaReporters learnt that the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji refused to investigate the collapse of a section of the Ekiti State High Court complex, which injured Chief Judge Adeyeye, due to the governor's close ties with former Governor Ayodele Fayose.

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However, following the incident, Adeyeye was flown to London, United Kingdom for medical treatment.

Incidentally, sources told SaharaReporters that Adeyeye’s predecessor, Justice Daramola (rtd) had refused to move into the building for fear that it might collapse.

“There was no investigation of the building collapse,” one of the sources said.  

“His Lordship's immediate predecessor, Justice A. Daramola (rtd) refused to move into the building for fear that the building might collapse because of the shoddy job done there. He refused to move in when it was completed because he knew it would collapse.

“The building built under the Ayo Fayose regime collapsed on him about a year ago and the Ekiti State government had been carrying him up and down.”

“Because Fayose is close to the current Ekiti governor, Oyebanji, the state government refused to investigate the collapse,” one of the sources said.

The tragic news of the death of Justice Adeyeye was confirmed by the Chief Registrar of the Ekiti State Judiciary, Olanike Adegoke, on Tuesday.

In a tribute, Adegoke described Justice Adeyeye as "a respected jurist who dedicated his life to upholding the principles of fairness, equity, and justice".

Adegoke also acknowledged Justice Adeyeye's immense contributions to the judiciary and Ekiti State, stating that his legacy will be deeply missed.

Justice Adeyeye was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1986 and served as Chief Judge from 2021 until his passing.

“The contributions of the late CJ to the judiciary and Ekiti State as a whole are immeasurable. His legacy will be deeply missed,” Adegoke stated.