Edo: Akpata slams Obaseki for partial inauguration of Judges
By Innocent Raphael
The Labour Party candidate for the governorship position in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has sharply criticized Governor Godwin Obaseki for swearing in only five out of the eight recommended judges for the Edo State High Court.
Despite being recommended by the National Judicial Council almost a year ago, only five judges were inaugurated by Governor Obaseki on Friday.
In a statement shared on his official channels, Akpata condemned what he termed as an “unconscionable delay” and “inexplicable decision” by Governor Obaseki to swear in only a portion of the recommended judges.
He expressed concern over the financial hardships endured by the legal professionals during the prolonged limbo period.
“For nearly a year, these eight legal professionals languished in an unconscionable career limbo, with those previously in private practice suffering immense financial hardship through loss of earnings as they could not practise law as private practitioners having been recommended for appointment to the Bench, to subject any human being or public servant, let alone prospective guardians of justice, to such indignities is totally unacceptable.
“And now, by swearing in only five out of the eight recommended judges without any reason or explanation, Governor Obaseki has further rubbed salt into the injury, riding roughshod over another arm of government in clear violation of the principles of separation of powers and in the process, leaving the other three Judges and their families in a precarious dilemma.
“As a senior member of the Bar and a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), I condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the reprehensible conduct of Governor Godwin Obaseki, who willfully failed and refused to perform his constitutional duty to swear in all eight recommended Judges for nearly a year without any plausible justification,” he stated.
Akpata further accused Governor Obaseki of prioritizing partisan interests over the rule of law, particularly as the gubernatorial elections in Edo State loomed closer.
He described the governor’s actions as emblematic of the “deceitful, self-serving politics” characterizing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) government in the state.
The partial swearing-in, according to Akpata, not only undermines the judiciary’s independence but also violates the principle of separation of powers, thereby threatening the democratic process.
He further called for transparency and adherence to constitutional duties to ensure the integrity of the judiciary and uphold the rule of law in Edo State.
