Okpebholo Pledges to Correct Obaseki’s Injustice to Edo Judiciary

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has publicly committed to rectifying what he termed a “grave injustice” perpetrated by the immediate past administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki against the state’s judiciary.

The governor specifically condemned the previous government’s refusal to swear in three judges who had been duly cleared by the National Judicial Council (NJC), describing the act as a “slap on the face of the judiciary.”

Governor Okpebholo made these remarks during a meeting in Benin City with the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, and the Local Organising Committee for the association’s upcoming National Executive Committee meeting.

He used the occasion to draw a clear line between his administration’s priorities and those of his predecessor, vowing not to repeat what he characterised as costly errors. “We are in government to make a real difference, a visible difference that Edo people can feel,” Okpebholo told the legal practitioners.

“Our government will not repeat the errors of the past. The decision of the former administration to deny the three judges their rightful swearing-in, despite NJC clearance, was a great disservice to justice”, the Governor promised.

He provided new insight into the prolonged controversy, revealing that he had personally investigated the matter before assuming office and found no justification for the delay.

He stated that his decision to finally inaugurate the judges was a conscious effort to “rewrite the wrongs of the past and restore confidence in the judiciary.”

He expressed bewilderment at the previous administration’s reasoning, noting, “I discovered that these judges excelled in their qualifying examinations and had no blemish whatsoever. I saw no reason they were denied. Justice delayed is justice denied, and I could not allow such an injustice to persist.” The governor’s comments represent one of the most direct public rebukes of the Obaseki administration’s handling of judicial matters and underscore the ongoing political tensions in the state.

In his response, the Chairman of the NBA, Benin Branch, Barr. Idemudia Iredia Osifo, commended Governor Okpebholo for his decisive actions. He praised the governor for demonstrating courage and respect for the rule of law, specifically highlighting the swearing-in of the three judges and the restoration of the Customary Court of Appeal, which he said was “unjustifiably scrapped by the last administration.”

“Your Excellency, your decision to swear in the three judges ignored by the former administration demonstrates courage and respect for the rule of law,” Osifo stated. The NBA chairman also acknowledged the governor’s focus on tackling insecurity, noting, “Insecurity is a global concern, and you have shown the will to make Edo safer for its people.”

Beyond addressing past grievances, Governor Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a broader agenda of strengthening the rule of law and deepening judicial independence in Edo State.

He promised to build a robust partnership with the Bar to ensure effective justice delivery for all citizens. As a tangible gesture of support, the governor announced plans to provide operational vehicles for the NBA to aid its engagements across the state. “My administration will continue to support the NBA to perform its duties effectively. We are determined to build a justice system that works for every Edo citizen,” he affirmed.

The event also served as a platform for the NBA to announce an upcoming Land Administration Seminar scheduled for November 5, 2025. The seminar is designed to examine the governor’s powers under the Land Use Act, assess community land practices, and develop policy recommendations for the state government. Barr. Osifo expressed the association’s anticipation of a “continued partnership with your administration in strengthening justice delivery and promoting fairness.”

The meeting, attended by the Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Dennis Idahosa, and other top government officials, signals the Okpebholo administration’s intent to foster a more collaborative relationship with the legal community, framing itself as a corrective force for the state’s judicial institutions.