By Evans Abegbe
Media Officer,
Edo State High Court, Benin City.
As part of his duties as the Chief Judge of Edo State and Chairman, Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, Honourable Justice Joe itsebaga Acha has visited the various correctional centers in the state.
The visit which started on 13th of this month and ended on 15th took the Chief Judge to correctional center in Oko, Benin correctional center, Ubiaja correctional center and Auchi correctional center all located in Edo South, Central and North SENATORIAL DISTRICTS respectively.
A total of 8 inmates regained their freedom during the visit.
A combination of lack of evidence and unavailability of case files for cases that had been pending for up to five years were basis for release of the inmates.
In his address, Justice Acha explained “that the visit, apart from being an avowed commitment and collective determination of Edo State Judiciary and stake holders in the criminal justice sector to decongest correctional centers in the state, it is also to ensure that no one stays there a day longer than necessary by promoting speedy determination of criminal trials”.
He also appreciated the governor of Edo State Mr. Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki for his cooperation and support in making the visit possible.
EDO CHIEF JUDGE VISITS FAMILY OF LATE DSP ADAMS MICHEAL.
BY Evans Abegbe,
Media officer, Edo State High Court, Benin City.
The Chief Judge of Edo State, Honourable Justice Joe Itsebaga Acha has paid a condolence visit to the family of late DSP Adams Micheal who lost his life while men of the anti kidnapping squad of the Nigerian police carried out the rescue operation to free Magistrate Precious Agbonaga of Igueben Magistrate Court who was kidnapped on her way to Igueben from her abductors.
Delivering his condolence message, the Chief Judge eulogized the fallen officer, noting that he was a fearless and dogged officer who carried out his duty to his father land gallantly and faithfully, he however regretted that he paid the supreme price while doing what he knew how to do best.
Justice Acha maintained that it was a very unfortunate situation as his children was still very young and made prayers for God to grant the family the fortitude to bear such a great loss.
The Chief Judge promised to interface with the state government on ways to ensure that the family of late DSP ADAMS at this trying time and in the future.
In similar development the Honourable chief judge of Edo State, his lordship, Justice J. I. Acha also visited the Edo state commissioner of police to commiserate with him on the loss of one of his gallant officers during the rescue operation of a kidnapped Magistrate, Magistrate Precious Agbonaga.
The chief judge noted that it was very sad to lose such a gallant officer like DSP Adams Micheal who despite all odds went after dare devil kidnappers.
Edo state commissioner of police, CP Muhammad Dankwarra in his response thanked the chief Judge for the visit and explained that the death of DSP ADAMS was a rude shock from which he was yet to recover as the deceased was an officer he had come to respect because of his impeccable records and exemplary virtues.
He maintained that the police force will greatly miss him.
JUDGMENT; SUIT NO. HCU-3D-2019; MR. CHRISTOPHER OSE AKEMERE VS. MRS. EVELYN EWANOSE AKEMEREJUDGMENT; SUIT NO. HCU-3D-2019; MR. CHRISTOPHER OSE AKEMERE VS. MRS. EVELYN EWANOSE AKEMERE
Evans Abegbe
Media officer, EDO state judiciary,
Benin city.
EDO state chief judge, his lordship, honourable J I Acha has commended the EDO state oil and gas producing areas development commission on recent projects carried out in the state judiciary.
He made gave this commendation while playing host to the chairman and top management staff of the commission who paid him a courtesy call recently.
The chief judge explained that the projects will in no small measure make the onerous task of justice delivery easier and more accessible in the state.
He however noted that although the projects were built to specification, it would serve greater purpose if the judiciary is brought in at the planning stage rather than at the delivery stage as this would create an avenue for inputs that will lead better usage of the buildings and facilities.
The chairman of the state oil and gas producing areas development commission, pastor Kennedy Osifoh while delivering his speech thanked the honourable Chief Judge for granting the courtesy visit and said the purpose of the visit was to inform the him of the need to commission some of the completed and renovated court buildings in various parts of the state so that it can be put to judicious use and also to invite him to the ground breaking ceremony for other projects that are about to commence.
According to the chairman, projects already completed and ready for commissioning include
1: High court, Abudu
2; Magistrate court , Abudu
3; Judicial complex, Abudu
4; Ultra modern Magistrate court, Egba
5; Rebuilt high court building, Okada
6: Magistrate court buildings at Oduna, Urhonigbe and Uheuhe
All within the oil producing areas in the state.
Pastor Osifoh explained that the commissions’ duty of building infrastructure and human capital development in the oil producing areas and environs is of paramount importance and part of its job is provision of an enabling environment for easy dispensation of justice and dispute resolution which is in accordance with government policy of making EDO great again.
The EDSOGPADEC delegation includes barrister William Dudu (member representing Ikpoba Okha), Mrs Omosede Obamwonyi (member representing Ovia North East) and Mr. Charles Aideyan ( member representing Orhiomwon Local Government).
The Chief Judge of Edo State, his lordship Justice J. I. Acha played host to the new Commissioner of Police CP Abutu Yaro who paid him a courtesy visit recently to intimate him of his resumption of office in the State.
The Commissioner of Police, while addressing the Honourable Chief Judge, explained that the job of policing would not be complete without the co-operation of the Judiciary.
He mentioned that there was a very high volatility of criminal tendencies which has been heightened by political activities in the state, this has constantly put the police on its toes in the state. This in turn has made the synergy between the police and the judiciary most necessary.
He condemned the prevalence of organized kidnappings in the state and promised to stamp out the menace in no distant time.
He however noted that Edo State was relatively peaceful in comparison to other states in the country.
Then his lordship, Justice J. I. Acha expressed his appreciation for the courtesy visit and welcome the Commissioner to his office.
While congratulating him on his posting to the state, the Chief Judge however noted that the job was not an enviable one bearing in mind the security concern in the state and country in general.
He mentioned that there was a great need for the Police and the Judiciary to work hand in hand in order to ensure effective justice delivery in the State.
He also noted that there has been a marked improvement in the security of lives and properties in the State since his resumption in a little over a month ago.
The Chief Judge urged CP Abutu yaro to ensure that all recommendations made by the administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee are implement SD this will go a long way to making justice delivery on the state easier.
He also promised to ensure that there is always a vacation Judge available as usual anytime the State Judges go on their vacation in order to avoid a pile up if cases and to ensure a smooth justice delivery system within the vacation period.
Evans Abegbe, Media Officer, Edo State High Court, Benin City.
Magistrates and Presidents of Area Customary Court in the State has been enjoined to be of credible character and play their part in the equitable dispensation of justice without fear or favour.
This charge was made recently by the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State, Honourable Justice Joe Itsebaga Acha while swearing in some magistrates and area customary court presidents in the state capital.
While congratulating the newly sworn in judicial officers, he urged them to be true to their oaths of office and good ambassadors of the judiciary. He maintained that their appointment was a call to duty and therefore not a stroll in the park as it involves a lot of hard work, dedication, tact and unwavering scrupulousness even in the face of temptation.
The Chief Judge explained that it was one of the cardinal points of his administration to entrench and build a strong and virile judiciary that is without blemish in the state.
He assured that the selection process of the Magistrates and Presidents was very stringent and thorough and therefore congratulated them for coming out successful.
He informed that there is deliberate and constructive steps being taken to bring on board laudable initiatives with a view to making Edo State Judiciary a point of reference in the country.
A total of 10 Customary Court Presidents and 5 Magistrates were sworn in for a better, faster and fair justice delivery system in Edo State.
By Evans Abegbe, Media Officer, Edo State High Court, Benin City.
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