The governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has sworn-in eight new judges appointed to serve in the Edo State High Court.

A former Speaker of the State — Justice Hassana Garuba Oshione; the State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) — Justice Etinosa Gloria Adekanmbi; and Justice Theresa Irenonsen Eghe-Abe — former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of justice are among those that were sworn-in by the Governor in Monday in Government House, Benin City.

Others are Justice Etinosa Gloria Adekanmbi — State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Justice; Justice Itsueli Mary Enoredia — Director of Edo State multi-door court and Justice Williams Aiziegbemin — the Chief Registrar of Edo State High court who is the only male among those sworn-in.

Justice Igho-Braimah Patricia who was the Chief Magistrate of Egor Local Government Council Magistrate’s courts while Justice Esohe Irene Bazuaye was the Chief Magistrate in charge of Egor Local Government Magistrate’s courts.

Seven of the newly appointed judges are female while the number of Edo High court judges has risen to 31, comprising 19 female and 12 male judges.

Earlier in a remark, Governor, Godwin Obaseki, assured the judiciary of his administration’s support.

He congratulated the judges and urged them to carry out their duties without fear or favour as their appointment is from God and not any man.

Obaseki said his administration has taken a step further in making Edo one of the judicial hubs in the country, stating, “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.

“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,” he added.

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”.

He reiterated 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.

“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.

He said, “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.”

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