By Asemota Andy
In this piece, our reporter captures the euphoria in Benin as Gov Okpebholo says no to executive high-handedness.
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo’s, inauguration of three judge-designates 18 months after they were cleared by the National Judicial Council (NJC) has triggered intense excitement across the state and Nigeria’s judicial sector.
Governor Okpebholo’s decision underscores in a practical way his appreciation of the rule of law and the principle of separation of powers.
Significantly too, the swearing in of the three judges that were among the eight candidates recommended by the NJC, the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, a lawyer, said in a press statement barely three days to the inauguration, would strengthen the judiciary in the state to deliver justice and fairness to all.
Elaborating on the epoch-making event, Governor Okpebholo revealed that despite NJCs recommendation in June 2023, only five of the eight persons were swore in eleven months after by the immediate past administration of Godwin Obaseki.
The governor explained that in his inaugural speech on 12 November, this year, he promised to look into the case, adding: “Today, we have the privilege to right the wrong.
The three judges will have the opportunity to sit with their colleagues at the beach of the Edo State High Court to discharge their duties.”
According to him, “no one should be discriminated against, marginalized or hated on account of not having a godfather.”
An apparently elated newly sworn in Justice Ojo Maureen Osa, on behalf of her colleagues, Justice Godwin Jeff Okundamiya and Justice Edoghogho Eboigbe, appreciated the governor for making their swearing in a reality barely three weeks on assumption of office.
Legal experts and other citizens were quick to align the swearing in of the judges with the governor’s vision to uphold a high standard of conduct and the rights of citizens for sustained development of the state.
Indeed, the prompt swearing in of the judges has put smiles not only on their faces but also beamed focus on Governor Okpebholo as a leader that can be trusted to address other exigences central to upliftment of the welfare of citizens of the state and beyond.
It’s against this background that a former commissioner for information in the state, Barrister Andrew Emwanta, praised the governor, nicknamed Akpakomiza, for “doing justice to visible injustice.”
In a tribute to the governor, in his verified social media account, Emwanta wrote: “To my boss, Governor and Leader, for doing justice to a very visible injustice.”
Continuing, the stalwart of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) declared: “To God be the glory for making yesterday’s inauguration of our three new judges possible.”
While streaming the pictures of the judges during their inauguration with a background music by Nat Bassey in Najia Elevation Sounds titled: “See what the Lord has done,” he added: “Awesome God! Awesome God!”
Speaking in a similar vein, Michael Omorodion, a school teacher in Benin, said: “Okpebholo has done the right thing to swear in the three judges. If I were the governor, I would happily do the same thing because there was no cogent reason to deny them their rights.
Omorodion further added: “I thank Gov Okpebholo for not waiting too long to do what is right because justice delayed is justice denied. This is what democracy demands.”
About The Author
