Protocol
The Honourable, the Chief Judge of Edo State,
Honourable Justices of the Court of Appeal here present,
My Lords, the Judges of the High Court of Edo State (serving
and retired) and other judges here present,
Our Learned Senior Advocates of Nigeria,
My Dignified Life Benchers and other Members of the Body of
Benchers
The Learned Permanent Secretary, Directors and State
Counsels, Edo State Ministry of Justice
Principal Officers of the Edo State Judiciary led by the Chief
Registrar of the High Court,
Your Worships, the Chief Magistrate and other Magistrates
Courts,
Your Honours, the President of Area Customary Courts,
The Learned Chairman, NBA, Benin(Lion) Bar & other Chairmen
and Members of the NBA; Ekpoma, Uromi, Auchi and Igarra
Branches
The Chairman, ICMC, Edo State Multi-Door Court
Distinguished members of the Bar,
Gentlemen of the Press,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
INTRODUCTION
My Lord, the Honourable, The Chief Judge of Edo State, a number of
Lawyers have passed on in the preceeding Legal year and therefore
permit me to request all of us to rise to observe a minute silence in
honour of all our departed professional colleagues.
MAY THE SOULS OF ALL THE LAWYERS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS
IN THE JUSTICE SECTOR IN EDO STATE WHO DEPARTED IN THE
COURSE OF THE OUTGONE LEGAL YEAR THROUGH THE MERCIES OF
GOD REST IN PERFECT PEACE. AMEN.
My Lords and distinguished members of the Legal profession, it is
with profound humility and a deep sense of duty, as the Chief Law
Officer of Edo State that I stand before you all on behalf of His
Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, to felicitate with
the Honourable, The Chief Judge of Edo State and the entire
Judiciary of our dear State, and indeed the Bar, on yet again another
auspicious occasion of the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of
the Edo State Judiciary.
This annual event of the gathering of the Judiciary and the Bar to
commemorate the commencement of a new Legal year offers us the
opportunity to reflect on not only the successes recorded, but more
importantly the challenges faced in the entire value chain of the
Justice delivery system. It is also an opportunity for us to re-commit
ourselves to the ideals of justice and the rule of law in a democratic
society.
It is a sacred reminder that the wheels of justice must continue to
turn, firmly, fairly, and fearlessly, in the service of our people and in
defence of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and
other laws of Edo State.
The framers of our Constitution in keeping with what has become
global best practice in the form and structure of government
bifurcated the core functions of government between the
Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary in Part 11, Sections 4, 5 and 6.
In specific terms Section 6(2),(4)a,(5)d,e, and i establishes the
superior courts of records of the FCT and States of the Federation
and empower the State Legislatures to establish other courts with
subordinate jurisdiction to those created by the Constitution.
In doing this, My Lords and gentlemen of the bar, the Constitution
envisages that the Courts, regardless of it’s category, shallserve the
end of Justice in the society and therefore give meaning to thedoing this, My Lords and gentlemen of the bar, the Constitution
envisages that the Courts, regardless of it’s category, shall serve the
end of Justice in the society and therefore give meaning to the
overall purpose of government as provided in Section 14(1)c, to wit:
“(1)The Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be a State based
on the principles of democracy and social justice.
(2)It is hereby, accordingly, declared that-…
(b)the security and welfare of the people shall be the
primary purpose of government…”
The Edo State Judiciary and the Bar must therefore consistently
guarantee justice for the well-being of the Edo people.
Commendation to the Judiciary*
Permit me to commend the Honourable Chief Judge of Edo State,
Hon. Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, for his purposeful
leadership and steady reforms which continue to strengthen our
judicial system in this State.In the outgone legal year, our courts recorded landmark judgments
that deepened the rule of law,strengthened constitutionalism, and
reassured our citizens that justice, though sometimes delayed, can
never be denied.
Martin Luther King once said:
“The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”
This was as Theodore Parker, an erstwhile American Unitarian
Minister posits that:
“I do not pretend to understand the moral universe, the arc
is a long one..But I do know that it bends towards justice”.
This institution, under your Lordship’s watch, has demonstrated
resilience and integrity in ensuring that the law remains an
instrument of order and not of oppression.
I can say for a fact, that this Judiciary has remained consistent in
applying the laws in many of its decisions and that calls for a reaffirmation of a resounding confidence in the Edo State Judiciary as
indeed the last hope of the common man. In emphasizing the prestine role of the Judiciary MOHAMMED BABA
IDRIS, Jsc in the recent Supreme Court case of ALHAJI HARUNA
MAI-JEGA v. ALHAJI GARBA HARUNA & ORS (2025) LPELR –
81021(SC) remarked most eloquently thusly:
“The Court, too, must operate with the highest degree of
competence, impartiality, and wisdom. As Justices and
Judges, our responsibility is to ensure that we preside over
cases with absolute fairness, guided always by the
principles of the law. The composition of the bench and its
understanding of the matter before it is not merely
procedural… it is the foundation upon which the legitimacy
of any decision rests.
Let us always remember that justice is not a prize to be
won in a contest; it is a virtue to be pursued with diligence,
consistency, and honor”.
The Role of the Bar and Bench
As it is always said; the Bar and the Bench are like Siamese twins,
indeed they are inseparable in the pursuit of justice. As we
commence a new legal year, let us remind ourselves that justice
delivery thrives when the Bar is courageous, and the Bench is
impartial.
To my learned colleagues in the Lion Bar and other Branches of the
NBA in Edo State, I say this; our calling is a noble one! We are not
merely advocates for hire; we are ministers in the temple of justice.
Let us, therefore, conduct ourselves with the highest level of dignity,
competence, integrity and professionalism that the public expects of
us as members of the Legal profession. Although this is not a forum
for recrimination and pointing accusing fingers, it can safely be
mentioned that the conduct of some lawyers in our recent histoleaves sour taste on our lips. This conduct ranges from mode of
dressing and appearance before judges to many other acts of
conduct unbecoming of Legal Practitioners. I enjoin all of us to be
exemplary and highly professional in our conduct at all times.
In DON NIEMOGHA & ANOR v. OMOMADE ORUBAYI., The court held
that:
“It is trite, that the legal profession to which the advocate
belongs occupies an unenviable position of pre-eminence.
All members of the well cherished legal profession- as
judges, barristers or solicitors- are uniquely under onerous
duty to exhibit a very reasonable degree of knowledge,
skill, courage, resilience, tact, intellect and most
importantly an unquestionable integrity of the highest
order. Undoubtedly, the fact that Legal practitioner ls pride
themselves as members of the learned Honourable
profession, notwithstanding the truth is that not a few see
them in that light…”
We must therefore, as Lawyers continue to strengthen the prestine
virtues of honour, integrity, discipline and professionalism for which
our profession has been sustained for centuries.
Justice and the Society
The Legal Profession does not exist in a vacuum. It thrives within
society and must respond to its challenges. Today, our people cry out
against crime, economic hardship, social dislocation, and governance
issues.
In the midst of this, the judiciary remains the last hope of the
common man. As scripture reminds us in Isaiah 1:17:
“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring
justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”
We must ensure that our courts are accessible, our procedures are
efficient, and our judgments are timely, for justice delayed is indeed
justice denied.
The Government’s Commitment
On its part, the Edo State Government led by His Excellency, Senator
Monday Okpebholo remains steadfast in supporting the judiciary.
The Government has committed itself to continue to improve judicial
infrastructures, provide logistics support, and
collaborate with
relevant stakeholders to ensure that justice delivery is not hindered
by avoidable constraints.
We recognize that a strong judiciary is the foundation of democracy,
and as such, this administration is irrevocably committed to
strengthening judicial independence while fostering synergy among
all arms of government.
Cognizant of the invaluable role of the Judiciary and especially
Judicial officers, His Excellency, the Governor of Edo State, Senator
Monday Okpebholo, on 2nd December, 2024, wasted no time in
swearing in three judges whose appointment along with five others
were confirmed by the National Judicial Service Commission on June
16th, 2023 on the recommendations of the Edo State Judicial Service
Commission, but for spurious and unfathomable political reasons
were denied inauguration by the immediate past administration. This
was one injustice done to judicial officers in the State, that this
administration promptly redressed.
Added to the foregoing, this administration has also passed into Law
the extension of years of Service of Magistrates and Presidents of
Magistrates and Area Customary Courts in Edo State in order for
them to achieve tremendous milestones in their career and allow the
State to benefit from their wealth of knowledge and experience on
the lower Bench.
These are all evidences of this administration’s commitment to
fostering a governance architecture that promotes justice and
fairness in a democratic society.
The administration remains committed to sustaining its legacy ofpartnership with the judiciary at all times.
Peace and Security
It is not in doubt that no development can take place where there is
no peace and security. Indeed, peace and security are sine qua non
to development and even the administration of justice. In
consequence of this therefore, this administration has instituted a
regime of zero tolerance for all forms of criminalities in Edo State.
For the government to succeed, members of the Bar and the
Judiciary must continue to support quick trials and prosecution of
criminal elements in our society. Delays in trials which are usually
occasioned by a number of factors can compromise justice and
ultimately hurt the society. I acknowledge the challenges of
prosecution of criminal cases and the ability of courts to hear them
expeditiously, but this new legal year should witness a renewed
vigour on the part of all stakeholders in the criminal justice
administration, to endeavour to fast rack criminal trials and uphold
the various penal laws in trials rather than technicalities. In that,
justice will be served to all including the society which will become
safer.
Charge for the New Legal Year
As we open this new legal year, let it be a year of renewed
commitment to truth and justice; firmer resolve to resist corruption
in every form; closer cooperation between the Bar and the Bench;
and greater service to the people whose hopes rest on us. In the
celebrated dicta of the eminent British jurist, Lord Atkin, “Justice is
not a cloistered virtue. It must be allowed to suffer the scrutiny of
reasonable men”.
Conclusion
My Lords, distinguished colleagues, ladies and gentlemen, let us,
therefore, march into this Legal year with courage, integrity and
above all a renewed hope of a greater future for our profession,
State and Country.
Let us ensure that when the history of justice delivery in our time is
written, it shall be said that we were faithful stewards who
preserved the majesty of the law and the sanctity of justice.
On behalf of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, I wish the Honourable, the Chief Judge, the Judiciary, and the Bar, a
fruitful and impactful 2025/2026 Legal Year.
May God bless the Edo State Judiciary.
May God bless the Lion Bar and other NBA Branches in Edo State.
May God bless Edo State.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Thank you!
Rt. Hon. Samson R. Osagie, FICMC, Ph.D
Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
Edo State
