The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, has called on all court users to collaborate with the state judiciary in its fight against corruption.
Okungbowa made the call on Friday during a special court session held in Benin to mark the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year.
He commended the “Bail Is Free Campaign Organisation” for its continued support of the judiciary’s efforts to rid the system of corruption.
The opening ceremony provided an opportunity for the judiciary to reflect on the achievements of the past legal year and to outline goals for the year ahead.
According to the Chief Judge, key focus areas in the previous year included capacity building, administration of criminal justice, and staff welfare.
As the new legal year begins, Okungbowa emphasised the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in the discharge of its duties.
In recognition of exemplary service, ten members of the state judiciary received the Chief Judge’s Award for being outstanding ambassadors of the institution.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, Mr. Idemudia Osifo, urged the Edo State judiciary to continue upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and judicial independence.
Osifo praised the judiciary for its industry, resilience, and steadfastness under the leadership of the Chief Judge, and also highlighted several persistent challenges.
He noted that many courts in Edo State still operated in dilapidated conditions and lacked modern facilities needed for effective justice delivery.
He lamented the prolonged duration of many court cases, which continued to erode public confidence in the system, and stressed the urgent need to improve the working conditions of judicial officers and support staff.
“The safety of judicial officers, lawyers, litigants, and witnesses must be ensured”, he said.
The NBA urged the judiciary to invest in ICT infrastructure to enhance justice delivery, reduce delays, and increase transparency.
It also pledged its commitment to promoting access to justice and defending the sanctity of the legal profession.
As the new legal year begins, the association urged the judiciary to uphold the noble ideals of justice, fairness, and independence.

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has congratulated the Asagba of Asaba, His Royal Majesty, Obi, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, on the occasion of his first year coronation anniversary.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, Oborevwori lauded the monarch’s dedication to peace, unity, and the cultural advancement of Asaba.
He described Obi Azinge as a revered traditional ruler and academic whose leadership over the past year has brought renewed pride to the Asaba Kingdom and inspired confidence in traditional institutions across the State.
Oborevwori said: “On behalf of the Government and people of Delta State, I warmly congratulate Your Majesty, Obi, Prof. Epiphany Azinge, SAN, OON, the Asagba of Asaba, on the joyous celebration of your first coronation anniversary.
“Your reign has already demonstrated a deep commitment to the values of peace, inclusiveness, and development.
“As an accomplished academic and respected traditional ruler, you have brought honour not only to the Asaba Kingdom, but also to the entire Delta State.”
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s support for traditional institutions and assured the Asagba of continued partnership in advancing the interests of the Asaba people.
He wished the monarch long life, wisdom, and a peaceful and prosperous reign.
Obi Prof. Azinge ascended the throne as the Asagba of Asaba in 2024, succeeding the late Obi Prof. Chike Edozien, and has since been recognised for his efforts in promoting cultural heritage, peace and community development.

By: Albert Ograka, Asaba

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori, and other prominent personalities in the Niger Delta have oaid glowing tribute to the first Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
They said his life symbolised the principles of federalism, resource control, justice, and environmental rights.
According to them, Chief Alamieyeseigha, who was the first civilian Governor of Bayelsa State, represented the voice of the Niger Delta people and that his legacies would continually inspire generations in the quest for justice, fairness and development.
They spoke on Friday at the 10th memorial anniversary in honour of Alamieyeseigha in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa capital.
Speaking at the event, which had as its theme: “The Niger Delta Voice Through Nigeria’s Soul: Federalism, Resource Control and The Contemporary Nigerian State In The DSP Alamieyeseigha Legacies”, Governor Diri said for Nigeria to make progress, it should practice a federal system of government where the sub-national units enjoy relative autonomy guaranteed by its Constitution.
He described as an abberation the situation where Nigeria, which ought to be operating federalism, controlled the resources of the sub-nationals thereby short changing them of their God-given wealth.
Senator Diri stated that if Nigeria operated a federalist structure, agitations from minority ethnic nationalities would largely be reduced.
“If we want this country to move forward, the sub-national governments should not be controlled from the centre. If we want this country to develop, you cannot use the resources from one region to create more local government areas in another region in order to feed that region and then starve the area where these resources are coming from. That is not federalism.
“The Niger Delta people have been robbed through the Land Use Act and we stand against it anywhere and anytime. Nigeria needs to correct these anomalies”, he said.
According to the Bayelsa Governor, Alamieyeseigha’s advocacy for resource control, justice and environmental rights was not only for the Niger Delta people, but for the progress of the country.
He urged the Niger Delta people to be united and build a common front in the fight for resource control and not allow party politics and personal interests get in the way of their collective struggle.
Diri emphasised the need to utilise intellectual and diplomatic means in their quest to achieve justice, fairness and bring about the much needed development of the region.
“We have elevated party politics above our unity. That is part of the politics of oil and gas, which is meant to keep us divided”, Diri added.
Similarly, former Delta State Governor, Chief James Ibori, who described Alamieyeseigha as his bosom friend while they were colleague-governors, said the late Ijaw Governor-General was never scared in the defence of his people.
Ibori claimed that like Martin Luther King, the ‘bullet’ that took Alamieyeseigha was fabricated, encouraged and delivered by the Nigerian state.
He, however, expressed satisfaction that what his departed comrade stood and advocated for has continued to live on and would not die.
Ibori, popularly known as the Odidigborigbo of Africa, appreciated Diri for strengthening Alamieyeseigha’s legacies and the Ijaw struggle through the annual memorial anniversary by the State Government.
The keynote speaker, Prof. Ibaba S. Ibaba, on his part, said Alamieyeseigha’s emergence as Bayelsa Governor marked a defining moment in the Ijaw and Niger Deta struggle for equity and justice.
Ibaba described the Niger Delta as an embodiment of Nigeria’s paradox of wealth amid pervasive poverty and underdevelopment, which he noted led to the famous Kaiama Declaration and the Ogoni Bill of Rights.
He stressed that the late hero, in his speeches and actions, took the Niger Delta agitation into the heart of the national debate, placing Bayelsa and the region firmly on Nigeria’s national map of political reckoning.
According to the erudite political scholar, federalism for Alamieyeseigha and people of the Niger Delta was meaningful only if it guaranteed control over resources for development, dignity, and survival.
The event, which featured a panel of discussants anchored by broadcast journalist, Dr. Reuben Abati, had environmental rights activist, Annkio Briggs; foremost Ijaw activist, Elder Timi Ogoriba; and a former House of Reps member and former Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Prof. Steve Azaiki.
Dignitaries present included the Bayelsa Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; the immediate past Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd); wife of the late Governor, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha; National Chairman of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Amb. Boladei Igali: and President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba.
Others were the Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Chief Ebitimi Amgbare; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; and other top government functionaries.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa