Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State
Edo State Government has finally abolished the Customary Court of Appeal in the state with the swearing-in on Friday, of five former judges of the Court of Appeal as Judges of the State High Court.
The judges are Justices Mary Nekpen Asemota, Timothy Ukpebor Oboh, Peter Akhihiero, Ohimai Ovbiagele and Osaretin Stella Uwuigbe.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole while swearing-in the judges, noted that “the judges that have just been sworn in are not new on the bench. It is more of a formality because they have been serving the state as Judges at the Customary Court of Appeal which has now been abolished and with the approval of the National Judicial Council, my Lord, the five judges of the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal have now been formally reunited with their brothers in the Edo State bench.
“Let me say publicly that although we have had to swear you in again, we are not backdating your appointment but your seniority remains because you have since been appointed as judges. So, for the purpose of seniority on the bench, it is your date of first appointment as a judge in the customary court that will be used.”
“By this singular action, we now have 29 judges of the state High Court and I believe this addition will mean quicker access to justice and the number of pending cases in the Edo State High Court over the next couple of months or years would be reduced considerably because we now have more judicial officials that are able to hear those cases.
“I think it is only important that we use this medium to explain again to our employers, the people of Edo State the rationale behind this decision and the full implication of this decision. First, by the abolition of …Read More
Source:: PM Newspaper
