Oyo State government has urged Justices of the Peace (JPs) to remain fair and impartial in handling disputes within their communities and avoid interferring in criminal cases.
The attorney-general and commissioner for Justice, Ayodeji Aikomo, gave the charge at the recent screening of over 300 applicants for the honorary Justice of Peace title, held at the ministry’s Conference Room, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
The two-day exercise ensured that only competent and credible individuals were selected to serve as JPs.
According to the Commissioner, their roles are vital to strengthening grassroots justice by mediating minor disputes, promoting peace, and serving as moral guides in communities.
Addressing newsmen after the screening, Aikomo emphasised integrity, impartiality, and confidentiality as the core values expected of Justices of the Peace.
“Uphold integrity, act without bias, maintain confidentiality, and serve with fairness.
Do not take sides in disputes, do not exploit the position for personal gain, and do not interfere in criminal cases beyond your jurisdiction,” he cautioned.
He further stressed that the JP title is not for prestige but a call to serve with honour, fairness, and responsibility.
Highlighting the functions of JPs, the Commissioner explained that they were expected to “promote peace and order in their communities, mediate minor civil disputes, and support legal processes by witnessing affidavits and other legal documents.”
The Citizens Mediation Centre director, Mrs. Adeola Adeleke, encouraged applicants to study the Justice of the Peace manuals to gain more profound knowledge of their roles.
Similarly, the director of Administration and Supplies, Mrs. Fatimo Yusuf, reiterated that the JP role is fundamentally about “making peace, building harmony, and supporting justice based on truth.”
