Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State in Southern Nigeria has sworn-in eight new judges appointed to serve in the Edo State High Court.
Obaseki who promised his administration’s support for the judiciary assured that in the year 2021, he would focus on rebuilding courts and judges quarters outside the state capital, just as he promised to hand over the newly built Judges Quarters to the Chief Judge later in the week.
The governor also assured judges in the state that he would provide the necessary support for them to adopt new technology in the dispensation of justice. The gesture of support, he added, would be extended to the federal judicial institutions in the state, beginning with the planned relocation of the Court of Appeal from its present location.
He congratulated the new high court judges and urged them to carry out their duties without fear or favour as their appointment is from God and not any man.
“Today, history is made with the swearing in of eight new judges for Edo State High Court, which is part of our commitment to strengthen the judiciary. For us to have a virile democracy, we must strengthen the rule of law, making sure that the judiciary is one of the strongest arms of our democracy in Nigeria,” Obaseki said.
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“This morning, we are a step further in fulfilling our desire to make Edo State one of the strongest judiciary hubs in Nigeria. Our dream of making Edo an economic hub will not be realised if our laws are not strong.
“Without law and order, without security we will not be able to attract the required level of investment to create the jobs and provide the social economic activities which we have promised our people.”
According to him, “We will continue as executives to invest in the required infrastructure for the Judges to work more effectively and smoothly. We will be handing over the newly built Court Complex this week. It has been connected to Ossiomo Power grid with 24/7 electricity supply. We have connected broadband to the building, making it ready for the deployment of technology.”
The governor restated the readiness of his administration to rebuild new Judges Quarters and Courts outside the state capital, adding, “We will be working with the judiciary to deploy a lot more technology in the courtrooms to make work easy for our Judges.
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“I thank the Chief Judge who has been diligent and persistent in ensuring we appoint the required personnel to man the judiciary. We reiterate our commitment to support the judiciary in the state and also the Federal judicial institutions in the state. Our administration is committed to relocating the Court of Appeal from Ikpoba Hill to Iguobasimwin street in GRA.”
Responding on behalf of the new judges, Aziegbemhin Williams Idemudia assured that they will uphold the principle of justice and stand against corruption and impunity.
“We shall abide by the oath of office, uphold the principle of Justice, ethics of the profession and dispense justice to all without fear or favour.
“We shall be in the forefront in standing against corruption and impunity and pursue reforms and changes that will lead to better and improve services and administration of Justice in Edo State,” he added.
The new judges are: Aziegbemhin Williams Idemudia; Igho Patricia Braimoh; Esohe Irene Bazuaye; Etinosa Gloria Adekanmbi; Hassana Garuba Oshione; Theresa Irenonsen Eghe-Abe; Ogbevoen Rachel Aiteseme and Itsueli Mary Enoredia.
The swearing-in ceremony was held at the Government House, in Benin City, the state capital.
Present at the ceremony held in the New Festival Hall in the Government House with strict observance of the Covid-19 protocol was the first female chief judge of the state, Justice Constance Momoh.
© ControlTV 2021.
