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Edo State’s Chief Judge Hon. Justice Esther Edigin has commended the executive & members of the Benin branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) for their commitment to their profession and responsibility towards the people of their constituents.
The Chief Judge, who gave this commendation when the Executives of the NBA paid her a courtesy call in her office to felicitate with her on her assumption of office as the Chief Judge of the state, said the pro bono commitment initiated by the NBA has contributed to the decongestion of the correctional centres. She charged them to do all they can to uphold it while also encouraging them to live up to the tenants of the law Profession.
Hon. Justice Edigin further pledged to uphold the good relationship between the bench and the bar stating that her door is opened to all legal practitioners and she would assist all to the best of her capability.
Earlier, the chairman of the Benin bar, Prince Collins Ogiegbaen had congratulated the Chief Judge on her assumption of office, pledging the loyalty and support of the executive and members of the Benin Branch NBA. He emphasized on the many qualities of Hon. Justice Edigin stating categorically that she (the chief Judge) is one of the most resourceful Judges he had come across as he largely refers to her judgments in his dealings in court. He also prayed for a successful tenure for the Chief Judge.
Prince Ogiegbaen further intimated the Chief judge of the existence of legal Assistance and Prisoners Rights Initiative (LAPRI) which is headed by the bar Public Defender, the aim of which is to provide legal assistance and defend the rights of inmates, pro bono. He also explained that the LAPRI social advocacy was part of what awarded the Benin Bar, the 2nd best Bar nationwide.
Nwine Nekpen Maureen
Senior Information Officer,
Edo State Judiciary
Edo State Judiciary led by the Chief Judge Hon. Justice Esther Edigin has gathered to bid a deceased retired legal luminary, late hon. Justice Aliu Okunega farewell as he transits to glory.
At the valedictory court session held for the late Justice at High Court No. 1, Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, The State’s Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Esther Edigin said that Hon. Justice Okunega has had his time to be born and now his time to die at the ripe age of 84. She also said his service to his profession, humanity, community and Almighty God is worth celebrating.
Hon. Justice Edigin extolled the late Justice Okunega as having an insatiable appetite to uphold the tenants of the Judiciary as the last hope of the common man in very many of his Judicial decisions as he was an epitome of diligence, forthrightness and integrity.
The chief Judge encouraged his family to be consoled with the realization of the fact that he lived a glorious and fulfilled life. As death is not an event that ends the great sentence of life but a comma that punctuates it for higher service and external life.
In his address, hon. Justice I. O. Aluyi, chairman Body of Retired Judges, Edo State, represented by Hon. Justice R. I. Amaize (Rtd) eulogised the late Honourable Justice as warmth, amiability and conviviality personified while he lived. He further said Justice Okunega brought such sterling qualities, amongst others to bear and radiated them even within the corpus of retired judges; stating that members will sorely miss him.
Permission was granted the Okunega family to remove with honour and dignity, the remains of the late gentleman and to lay him to rest in his hometown, Eware (Anwain Clan) Etsako West Local Govt. Area of Edo State.
It is worthy of note that Hon. Justice Aliu Okunega was chairman Transitional Committee, Etsako West Local Government Council, 2002 and chairman, Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), 2009. Post-retirement.
Nwine Nekpen Maureen
Senior Information Officer,
Edo State Judiciary
