EDO STATE JUDICIARY GETS NEW CHIEF JUDGE
Edo State Governor, His Excellency Mr. Godwin .N. Obaseki on thursday swore in Justice Esohe Frances Ikponmwen as the substantive Chief Judge of the state following the retirement of Hon. Justice C. O. Idahosa who retired on the 25th of January, 2016. Speaking during the ceremony at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Benin City, Mr. Godwin Obaseki said every government must recognise the importance of the Judiciary.
The Governor stated that the laudable achievements recorded during the Adams Oshiomole-led administration were due to the harmony which existed between the Judiciary and the Executive, He therefore urged the Chief Judge to bring to bear her wealth of experience in the discharge of her duties as a highly respected judge in the country.
Obaseki said that her choice as the Chief Judge at a time of great change in the state was remarkable as she “is known to be fair and strict in the dispensation of Justice’’.
He also urged the Chief Judge to sustain and improve the harmonious relationship between Judges in the state.
In her response, the new Chief Judge, Hon Justice E. F.Ikponmwen promised to build on the legacy of her predecessor and enthrone Justice in the state. According to her: “I promise to be hard working, ensure speedy dispensation of justice and stand for the truth; It is the truth that sets one free”.
“There will be no more room for corrupt practices in our judiciary.”
Hon. Justice Ikponmwen was born November 22, 1954. Until her appointment as the Chief Judge of the state, she has been a judge at the state High Court since 1999.
PRESS RELEASE: PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE RETIRING CHIEF JUDGE OF EDO STATE
This is to inform the general public that The Honourable the Chief Judge of Edo State, Honourable Justice C. O. Idahosa will be retiring from service on the 25th day of January, 2017 and the activities lined up for the retiring Chief Judge are as follows:
PROGRAMME OF EVENTS FOR THE RETIRING CHIEF JUDGE OF EDO STATE
| DATE | EVENT | TIME | VENUE |
|
MONDAY 16TH JANUARY 2017 |
A State Wide Tour Of Courts
Farewell visit to Courts EDO CENTRAL Prison Visit to Ubiaja Prison Farewell visit to Courts EDO NORTH Prison Visit to Auchi Prison Farewell visit to Courts EDO SOUTH Visit to Children Correctional Center, Ugbekun. |
10.00am | Courts in Edo Central Senatorial District, all Courts are to converge at the High Court premises in Ekpoma. |
| TUESDAY 17TH JANUARY 2017 | 10.00am | Court in Edo North Senatorial District, all Courts are to converge at the High Court premises in Auchi. | |
| WEDNESDAY 18TH JANUARY, 2017 | 10.00am | Courts in Edo South Senatorial District to converge at the High Court Complex,
Benin City. |
|
|
THURSDAY 19TH JANUARY 2017 |
Prison Visit to Oko & Central Prison | 10.00am | |
|
FRIDAY 20TH JANUARY, 2017 |
Inauguration of Edo State MultiDoor Court House.
Novelty Match between the Bench and the Bar. |
10.00am
4.pm |
Hon. Justice Isaac Aluyi
Complex, 179 Aiguobasimwin Crescent G.R.A. Benin City. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium. |
|
MONDAY 23RD JANUARY 2017
|
Courtesy visit to His Excellency, The Governor of Edo State with all Hon. Judges. | 10.00am | |
| Courtesy visit to the Honourable Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly with all Hon. Judges. | 12.00pm | ||
| Courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin with all Hon. Judges. | 2.00pm | ||
| TUESDAY 24TH JANUARY, 2017 | Meeting of All Edo State Hon. Judges.
State Dinner |
10.00a.m
4.00pm |
Conference Hall
Government House |
|
WEDNESDAY 25TH JANUARY 2017 |
Thanksgiving Service to mark the formal Retirement of the Hon. The Chief Judge of Edo State, from service. | 8.30am | St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Lagos Street Benin City. |
| All to be fully robed | Inspection of Guard of Honour by The Honourable, The Chief Judge of Edo State. | 11.00.am | High Court Premises |
| Valedictory Court Session
Compere: The Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Edo State. |
12.noon | High Court 1 | |
| Luncheon/Book Launch
(AS JUSTICE CROMWELL, PLEASES!) Compere: Terry Isaacs Idahor |
2.30.pm | Uyi Grand Event Centre. |
/
EDO STATE JUDICIARY INAUGURATES FAMILY COURT, LAUNCHES EDO STATE FAMILY COURT (CIVIL PROCEDURE) RULES 2017.
The Edo State Judiciary on Monday 9th January, 2017 inaugurated the family court to exclusively handle matters pertaining to child abuse in compliance with the Child Rights Law 2007. The inauguration of the Court marks the beginning of the implementation of the Edo State Child Rights Bill which was passed into law in 2007 and was assented to by the then Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Prof. Oserhiemen Osunbor.
In his speech at the inauguration, the Hon. Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Cromwell Idahosa, said the Child Rights Act extensively caters for the interest and rights of the child, adding that the family court would have exclusive jurisdiction to handle all matters pertaining to children in both civil and criminal matters.
“With the inauguration of this court, there shall now be speedy trial in matters relating to children’s welfare and protection, specifically from undue exposure and exploitation. The court will strive to provide families with the best possible outcome in child rights cases in accordance with the law and best global practices.”
The Chairperson of the Family Court Implementation Committee Hon. Justice H. A. Courage Ogbebor commended the Hon. Chief Judge for ensuring that the Family Court is inaugurated during his tenure as Chief Judge Edo State and also commended the former Chairperson of the Family Court Implementation Committee Hon. Justice N. A. Imoukhuede for her dedication.
The State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who was represented at the event by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, said if Nigeria could implement the family court, it would go a long way to address some of the challenges facing families. He gave the assurance that the State Government would support the Judiciary.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the state branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ede Asenoguan Esq., said the inauguration of the court would place the state among the few ones in the country that have established a family court to cater for the rights of children as envisaged by the Child Rights Law of Edo State 2007.The NBA State branch Chairman observed;
“We are happy that today, our collective dream of caring for the Rights of our children has been given a boost by this inauguration today. Certainly, our children are vulnerable and violated. They sure deserve better and I believe that no effort should be spared in ensuring that the Rights of Children are protected and enforced whenever or wherever same is breached or violated,” he said.
Goodwill messages also came in from the body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria represented by K. S. Okeaya-Inneh (SAN), SMILE (Sustainable Mechanism for Improving Livelihood and Household Empowerment), UNICEF, NAPTIP, NPDC, Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs & Social Development and Edo State Children’s Parliament.
The occasion also witnessed the formal launching of the Edo State Family Court (Civil Procedure) Rules 2017 which is the applicable rules of procedure in the Family Court.
The Court is constituted by a sitting Judge or Magistrate and two assessors who are to be sworn-in by the Hon. Chief Judge of the State.
