The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has called on all court users and stakeholders to join forces with the state judiciary in its renewed commitment to fighting corruption within the judicial system.
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Justice Okungbowa made the appeal on Friday during a special court session in Benin City to mark the commencement of the 2025/2026 Legal Year.
He commended the Bail Is Free Campaign Organisation for its sustained support of the judiciary’s anti-corruption initiatives, describing collaboration between the bench, bar, and civil society as vital to restoring public confidence in the justice system.
The Chief Judge said the event provided an opportunity for the judiciary to review its achievements from the previous legal year and set new goals for the year ahead. He noted that major focus areas in the past year included capacity building, the effective administration of criminal justice, and staff welfare.
Justice Okungbowa reaffirmed the judiciary’s dedication to upholding integrity, transparency, and professionalism in the discharge of its duties, stressing that the fight against corruption must be collective.
During the ceremony, ten members of the state judiciary received the Chief Judge’s Award for exemplary service and outstanding contributions to the institution.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, Idemudia Osifo, commended the Edo judiciary for its resilience and steadfastness under the leadership of Justice Okungbowa.
Osifo, however, highlighted key challenges affecting the judiciary, including the poor state of court infrastructure, prolonged case durations, and inadequate welfare for judicial officers and support staff.
“The safety of judicial officers, lawyers, litigants, and witnesses must be ensured,” he said, calling for increased investment in modern court facilities and ICT infrastructure to enhance justice delivery and transparency.
The NBA pledged its continued support for the judiciary’s reform agenda and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting access to justice and defending the independence of the legal profession.
As the 2025/2026 Legal Year begins, both the judiciary and the bar reiterated their shared resolve to uphold the principles of justice, fairness, and judicial integrity.
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