Edo Monarch honours The Chief Judge
Om n’oba n’edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, the Oba of Benin has honoured the Chie f Judge of Edo State, Hon Just ice Esohe Ikpownmen with two different sets of royal beads as a sign of acknowledgement and honour.
The Oba of Benin who thanked his ancestors for fore sight and the wisdom bestowed on him, said the honour bestowed on the Chief Judge was not preplanned, rather, an inspiration from his forebears hence, after the first set, further beads were gifted to ·the Chief Judge.
The Bini Monarch while saying that thanksgiving is supreme, prayed for more wisdom and for G od to not abandon the Palace and the binis. Suing for harmony among all judicial workers, the Oba prayed for a peaceful tenure for the in-coming Chief Judge.
In appreciation, the Chief Judge Edo State, Hon. Justice Esohe lkponmwen said she had come to pay homage to his Royal Majesty for his fatherly love and blessings, she expressed her sense of gratitude stating that she is not sure of how she was deserving of such an honour.
The Chief Judge however prayed for God to continually honour the Oba and for more fruitfulness in Benin Kingdom.
Nwine, Nekpen Maureen
Information Officer
Edo State Judiciary
Edo South’s Judicial Officers Host Retiring Chief Judge
As parts of activities leading to the smooth disengagement of the retiring Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Esohe lkponmwen, the judicial workers in Edo south has hosted the Chief Judge in a grand reception organized in her honour.
Responding to the cheerful members of staff, Hon Justice lkponmwen expressed her heartfelt joy and Gratitude to God for loving and blessing her so much as she never believed when she commenced her career that she would one day head the state’s Judiciary.
The Chief Judge expressed appreciation to all the members of staff for the love that exists and binds them. She however apologized to all she may have offended in the course of carrying out her duties.
Hon Justice lkponmwen used the opportunity to present her successor, the in coming Chief Judge, Hon Justice Esther Edigin, whom she described as very respectful, humble and loyal, charging all members of staff to accord the in coming Chief Judge with greater diligence and loyalty than they accorded her.
Earlier the number two Judge and in-coming Chief Judge, Hon Justice Esther Edigin had extolled the retiring Chief Judge as a very competent and diligent Judge whose motherly nature would be greatly missed. She described her as a role model to many and assured her that the legacies she had laid out would be improved upon.
Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of gifts by various members of staff to the retiring Chief Judge.
Nwine, Nekpen Maureen
Information Officer
Edo State Judiciary
Edo Chief Judge Commissions Oredo Magistrate Court
Edo State Chief Judge Hon Justice Esohe lkponmwen has called on all judicial officers tasked with justice delivery to ensure that justice is indeed delivered speedily without fear or favour.
The Chief Judge who was speaking during the commissioning of a newly constructed Magistrate Court at Oredo Local Government Council, also said justice would make the citizens trust and obey the law.
Hon Justice lkponmwen while commending the chairman of the council for his patriotism and responsibility by his quick execution of the State Governor’s orders for Grass root Courts in every Local Government area to aid quick dispensation of justice, she however cautioned that the Magistrate court must not become a tool for the perpetration of injustice and oppression.
In his address, the Executive Chairman Oredo Loca l Government Council Hon. Jenkins Osunde expressed his convictions on the improvement of the Council’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as well as the Councils ability to prosecute defaulters in the newly commissioned Magistrate Court.
Hon Osunde further intimated that the grass root government shall do everything possible to promote government policies aimed at establishing financial harmony between the state and local government. He however, solicited the support of the judiciary for the execution of the policies.
Nwine, Nekpen Maureen
Information Officer,
Edo State Judicary
PROFILE OF MY LORD HON. JUSTICE ESTHER AMENAGHAWON EDIGIN
The Hon. Justice Esther Amenaghawon Edigin was born on the 17th day of
May, 1956 to the family of Mr. Emmanuel Egiebor Eribo who hails from
Idunogba in Ugoniyekorhionmwon in Orhionmwon Local Government Area
and settled in Ogbe quarters in Benin City. He finally settled in Egor Local
Government Area where he set up Eribo Industrial Estate at No. 100 Edo
Textile Mill Road, Benin City. He was married to Mrs. Omosede Eribo (nee
Odobo) whose ancestors came from Obadan in Uhunwonde Local
Government Area and migrated to set up a settlement camp now known as
Ekodobo near NIFOR in Ovia North East Local Government Area. His
Lordship is the 4th Child and the 3rd daughter of this union.
In the year 1961 His Lordship was enrolled into St. Mathias Primary School,
Okesuna, Lagos State and after two years moved to Adrao International
School, Victoria Island, Lagos State. From 1967 – 1968, His Lordship was in
Corona School, Victoria Island, Lagos where she obtained the Primary
School Leaving Certificate in 1968. His Lordship was admitted into the
prestigious Federal Government College, Warri for her Secondary School
Education between 1969 and 1973. She later proceeded to Idia College,
Benin City for Higher School from 1973-1975.
Having excelled in her education especially in Secondary School, she was
admitted to study Law at the University of Lagos in 1975. His Lordship was
called to the Nigerian Bar on the 17th day of July, 1979 after which she
proceeded for the mandatory National Youth Service Corps in Lagos State
and was posted to serve at the Public Complaints Commission at Norman
Williams Street, Ikoyi, Lagos State.
As a legal practitioner, His Lordship practiced with F. O. Akinrele & Co.
(SAN) in Lagos State. From 1980 to 1981 she also practiced briefly at Buba
Aliyu & Co. in Kano State before she was appointed Magistrate Grade I in
Kano State Judiciary and rose to Chief Magistrate Grade II in 1988, on
contract.
In September 1989, His Lordship joined the Bendel State Judiciary as Chief
Magistrate Grade II under the leadership of Hon. Justice J. A. P. Oki as Chief
Judge. She was later promoted to Chief Magistrate Grade I in 1993. In 1998,
His Lordship was nominated to serve the nation as a member of the
Election Petition Tribunal for National Assembly and State Legislative
House, Enugu State.
In 1999, His Lordship also served as a member of the Election petition
Tribunal for Governorship Election, Bayelsa State. Having displayed some
exceptional qualities his Lordship was appointed Deputy Chief Registrar
(Administration) in 1999 and after a very careful selection she was
appointed as the Chief Registrar of the High Court in the same year (1999).
It pleased God to add another feather to His Lordship’s cap when in 2001
she was appointed to the High Court Bench as a Judge where she served in
various Judicial Divisions in Edo State.
His Lordship is a strong advocate of effective justice delivery, through
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). She is a Fellow of the Institute of
Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC). She is also a Fellow of the
Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb). His Lordship has
travelled several parts of the world and taken part in both local and
international conferences.
His Lordship served two terms as a member of the Governing Council of
the Baptist School of Theology. She got married to Mr. Martin Sunday
Edigin in 1977 and they are blessed with Children and grandchildren.
The vision of his Lordship is to establish in its best practice, effective and
efficient justice delivery system in Edo State. His Lordship is passionate
about the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution and the welfare of
Magistrates who are seen as unsung heroes.
His Lordship is committed to working out and the enhancement of physical
and mental wellness.
