Edo Governor Okpebholo Faults Obaseki Administration for ‘Injustice’ to Judiciary

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has criticised the immediate past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki for allegedly denying justice to the state’s judiciary by failing to inaugurate three judges previously cleared by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Speaking on Thursday in Benin City while hosting members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the forthcoming NBA National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, Okpebholo described the omission as “a slap on the face of the judiciary.”

“We are in government to make a real difference, a visible difference that the Edo people can feel,” the governor declared.
“The decision of the former administration to deny the three judges their rightful swearing-in, despite NJC clearance, was a great disservice to justice.”

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the three judges were sworn in by Okpebholo on December 2, 2024, less than a month after he assumed office.

The governor said he personally reviewed the matter before taking office and found no justification for the delay.

“I discovered that these judges excelled in their qualifying examinations and had no blemish whatsoever. I saw no reason why they were denied. Justice delayed is justice denied,” he stated.

Okpebholo added that his swift action was meant to “rewrite the wrongs of the past and restore confidence in the judiciary,” while pledging to strengthen judicial independence and deepen the rule of law in Edo State.

He also commended the NBA for its advocacy for justice and announced plans to provide operational vehicles to support the association’s activities across the state.

In his remarks, NBA Benin Branch Chairman, Mr. Idemudia Iredia-Osifo, hailed the governor’s commitment to judicial reform, particularly the reinstatement of the scrapped Customary Court of Appeal and the prompt swearing-in of the previously ignored judges.

“Your decision to swear in the three judges demonstrates courage and respect for the rule of law,” Iredia-Osifo said, adding that the association would continue to collaborate with the state government on justice reforms and land administration policies.

He also disclosed that the NBA would hold a Land Administration Seminar on November 5, focusing on the governor’s powers under the Land Use Act and reviewing community land practices to improve policy outcomes.