Okpebholo swears in three judges, ending 17-month delay
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has sworn in three judges for the Edo State High Court, concluding a 17-month wait following their clearance by the National Judicial Council (NJC) in June 2023.
This comes five months after five of their colleagues were sworn in by the previous administration.
The swearing-in ceremony, held at the Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City, fulfills a promise Governor Okpebholo made during his inaugural address to address the delayed appointments.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor emphasized the importance of impartiality in the judiciary. He urged the newly sworn-in judges to uphold fairness and avoid discrimination or favoritism.
“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,” Okpebholo said.
He recalled: “The NJC in June 2023 recommended eight persons for appointment as judges of the Edo State High Court. Eleven months later, only five were sworn in by the previous administration, leaving out three, even though they had all been cleared and recommended by the same NJC.”
