FORMER CHIEF JUDGE, IKPOMWEN LAUNCHES BOOKS ON JUDGEMENT WRITING, LAWYERS’ LIFESTYLE

By Kadiri Christopher

John Aikpokpo-Martins Esq

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has recently called on the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki to as a matter of urgency, swear in the eight newly appointed judges of the judiciary.

Addressing newsmen in Benin City, John Aikpokpo-Martins Esq, the NBA chairman on Session on Public Interest and Development Law, SPIDEL, called on the Edo State Governor to swear in the eight judges without any further delay as the delay is having negative impact on the speed of litigations in the State.

According to the NBA SPIDEL boss, "the eight judges appointed were appointed following the procedure for appointment of a judge. The went through the State Judicial Council, SJC, to the National Judicial Council, NJC. What is left is for the governor to assign them to their various courts of jurisdictions.

"The implications of not assigning these judges appointed are massive. It means there are eight courts of law that are dormant for now. It means there are several cases not attended to.

"These judges appointed are not receiving salaries because they have not been assigned to a court to preside. That means their families are suffering, they can't have money to take care of their families' immediate needs since the month of June, 2023.

"Such act by the governor is an impeachable offense because he is causing serious infringement in another arm of government. We are the third arm of government and as such, we must be allowed to operate within the reach of the law.

"We are not going to court. We shall not establish a case with him in the court because he will use that as an excuse. So, he should not expect that at all.

"We are also not giving him an ultimatum. We are letting him know that the judiciary is suffering under his watch as a governor. Eight courts are out of operations. No fewer than 100 cases are not yet attended to. The judicial process slows down drastically. We are here in Edo State to let the governor know that he is joking with an impeachable offense", he said.

It will be recalled that eight judges from Edo State were among the hundreds of judges cleared by the NJC and appointed in June, 2023.

The eight appointed judges awaiting consent from the governor are Ovenseri Otamere, Obayuwana Osarenren Mathias, Edoghogho Eboigbe, Ojo Maureen Osa, Bright Eraze Oniha, Ehinon Anthony Okoh, Godwin Jeff Okundamiya and Osayande Ikwuemosi Awawu.