After NJC Certification, Okpebholo Swears In Three Judges Rejected By Obaseki

After NJC Certification, Okpebholo Swears In Three Judges Rejected By Obaseki

Out of the eight judges that were approved by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to join the State Judiciary, Edo State Governor Senator Monday Okpebholo swore in three High Court judges yesterday that his predecessor Godwin Obaseki had refused to do.

Despite repeated requests from well-meaning people and organizations to swear in all eight cleared judges, the outgoing governor only swore in five judges in May of this year.

The governor, who oversaw the swearing-in of the three judges to the Edo State High Court bench in Government House’s Festival Hall, recalled that he had vowed to investigate the case in his inaugural address and that he now had the opportunity to make amends.

He also noted that, even though the National Judicial Council (NJC) had approved and recommended all of them, only five of them were sworn in as judges by the most recent government, leaving out three.

This was eleven months after the NJC’s recommendation. Governor Okpebholo reminded the three judges that, as members of the state High Court, they are expected to maintain high standards of behavior, ensure fair dispute resolution, uphold citizens’ rights, and bring offenders to justice. He said that no one should be discriminated against, marginalized, or hated for personal reasons, or because they do not have a godfather.

“During my swearing-in ceremony as Governor of Edo State on the 12th of November 2024, I acknowledged the critical role of the judiciary under the doctrine of Separation of Powers. Today we are gathered here to strengthen that role for the Judiciary.

“The National Judicial Council in June 2023 had recommended eight persons for appointment as Judges of the Edo State High Court.

“Eleven months after that recommendation, only five of them were sworn in by the immediate-past administration, leaving out three, even when they had all been cleared and recommended by the same NJC.

“In my inaugural speech, I made a promise to look into the case. Today we have the privilege to right the wrong. The three judges will now have the opportunity to sit with their colleagues at the bench of the Edo State High Court, to discharge their duties as beacons of hope.

“For me, no one should be discriminated, marginalized nor hated for personal reasons, or on account of not having a godfather.

“As Judges of the State High Court, we expect you to uphold the high standard of conduct, ensure fair dispute resolution, uphold rights of citizens, and bring culprits to justice”, the governor charged the new Judges.

The three Judges sworn in are Ojo Maureen Osa, Okundamiya Godwin Jeff and Edoghogho Eboigbe.

Responding on behalf of the trio, Ojo Maureen Osa thanked the governor for the opportunity given to them to serve as Judges in Edo State.

She appreciated the Governor for making their swearing-in a reality, just three weeks into office, and prayed that his tenure would be marked with success and the advancement of justice for all.

“We assure you that we will dispense justice without fear or favour,” she stated.