By Atlantic Reports

Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Roland Otaru, has challenged the judiciary to make speedy justice delivery a measurable institutional priority rather than a promise repeatedly made at ceremonial gatherings.

His call came as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, raised concerns over proposed legislation that could repeal the state's 2023 Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law, potentially reopening questions about the independence of the courts.

Speaking on Friday, October 9, 2026, during the ceremony marking the commencement of Edo State's 2026/2027 Legal Year in Benin City, Otaru said the credibility of the justice system depended on its ability to protect ordinary citizens through timely, fair and impartial decisions.

“Justice delayed is justice denied must move beyond ceremonial repetition and become an operational imperative in the justice system,” he declared.

The attorney-general maintained that judicial performance should be assessed not merely by the number of cases concluded, but by the practical difference court decisions make in people's lives.

His remarks placed renewed attention on longstanding concerns about delayed trials, access to justice and the institutional safeguards required to protect judicial independence.

Justice Must Be Measured by Its Impact on Citizens

Otaru described the beginning of a new legal year as an opportunity for the judiciary to examine its performance and renew its commitment to constitutional responsibilities.

“A new legal year is not simply the turning of a page in the judicial calendar. It is a solemn invitation to examine our stewardship, renew our courage, and recommit ourselves to the high calling of the law,” he said.

He urged judicial officers to look beyond administrative statistics when assessing their achievements.

“It invites a question more searching than how many cases we disposed of — how many lives were made more secure because justice was done,” he added.

According to him, the true strength of the justice system lies in the confidence it inspires among citizens, particularly those without political influence, financial resources or powerful connections.

He cited widows seeking to protect their homes, children requiring legal protection, business owners pursuing contractual claims, victims demanding redress and accused persons entitled to fair trials.

For these groups, prolonged litigation can carry serious consequences.

A widow involved in a property dispute may face uncertainty over her accommodation, while a business owner awaiting judgment could experience financial losses.

Similarly, delays in criminal proceedings may prolong the suffering of victims and leave accused persons facing extended uncertainty over their legal status.

Otaru argued that the judiciary must remain sensitive to these human consequences.

Constitutional Rights Must Work Beyond Courtroom Speeches

The attorney-general emphasised that judicial independence, impartiality and accessibility were constitutional responsibilities requiring practical protection.

He referred to Sections 6 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

Section 6 provides for the judicial powers of the federation and states, while Section 36 guarantees fair hearing in the determination of civil rights and obligations and criminal charges.

Otaru maintained that these provisions should be reflected in institutional arrangements, financial decisions, professional conduct and everyday judicial administration.

Invoking the Latin maxim Fiat justitia ruat caelum, meaning “Let justice be done though the heavens fall”, he stressed that justice must remain principled and uncompromising.

However, he argued that justice must also be delivered without unnecessary delay.

He endorsed the message from the legal year church service that justice was a collective journey, adding that it was equally a collective responsibility.

His position highlighted the roles of judges, lawyers, prosecutors, court administrators and government institutions in ensuring that cases proceed efficiently without compromising due process.

Edo Special Criminal Court Cited as Example of Faster Justice

Otaru also highlighted steps taken under Governor Monday Okpebholo's administration to strengthen the handling of serious criminal cases.

He recalled that the state government approached the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, in June 2026, requesting special judicial arrangements to accelerate proceedings involving kidnapping and cultism-related offences.

According to him, the Edo State Special Criminal Court commenced operations in July 2026.

“Edo State Special Criminal Court commenced work in July 2026. On Sept. 29, 2026, it delivered judgment in the widely reported vegetable market kidnapping case,” Otaru said.

He presented the development as evidence that focused case management, diligent prosecution and an independent judiciary could improve the speed of criminal proceedings.

However, the details provided did not specify the court's overall caseload, the number of cases concluded since July or the average duration of proceedings.

Such information would be necessary to assess whether the special arrangement has produced sustained improvements beyond the cited case.

While faster criminal trials can reduce delays, they must also preserve defendants' rights to legal representation, adequate preparation and fair hearing.

The effectiveness of the initiative will therefore depend on both the speed and fairness of proceedings.

Senior Advocates Describe Judiciary as Last Hope of Ordinary Citizens

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) in Edo State, Chief Charles Edosomwan, SAN, commended judicial officers for their service.

He emphasised the seriousness of the responsibility entrusted to judges, particularly when their decisions determine people's rights, freedoms and livelihoods.

“When Your Lordships sit on the throne, you are no longer yourselves. You are rendering judgments that only God should render, and nobody should muddy that water,” he said.

Edosomwan praised Chief Judge Okungbowa's leadership and expressed confidence in the professional standing of Edo judicial officers.

He also described the judiciary as the final source of protection for citizens who lack the connections available to more influential members of society.

“Those who come to you for justice can go nowhere else,” he said.

He contrasted the position of ordinary litigants with that of individuals who might be able to approach powerful government officials directly.

“There are some people who can call the Inspector-General of Police, have their ways done. They can call the governor and have their ways done. But a lot who come to you can call nobody. They are looking at Your Lordships as their last hope,” Edosomwan stated.

His remarks reinforced the principle that access to justice should not depend on wealth, political influence or personal relationships.

Calls Grow for Continued Review of Prison Detentions

Edosomwan also commended the judiciary for efforts to release inmates whose continued detention could no longer be legally justified.

He urged judges to sustain jail delivery exercises, which provide opportunities to review detention records and address cases involving prolonged or unlawful custody.

Such exercises can be particularly important for detainees who lack legal representation or whose cases have experienced significant delays.

However, the remarks did not include figures showing how many inmates had been released, the grounds for their release or the number of outstanding cases requiring review.

Transparent reporting on these exercises could help establish their effectiveness in addressing overcrowding and protecting detainees' rights.

Edosomwan also encouraged judicial officers to pay attention to their health while carrying out demanding professional responsibilities.

NBA Raises Alarm Over Proposed Repeal of Judicial Financial Autonomy Law

A major concern emerged from the remarks of the Chairman of the NBA, Benin Branch, Omoigui Omorodion.

He drew attention to proposed legislation before the Edo State House of Assembly, particularly a bill seeking to repeal the Edo Judiciary Financial Autonomy Law 2023.

Omorodion warned that repealing the legislation could undermine judicial independence, impartiality and access to justice.

He argued that financial autonomy was essential to enabling courts to discharge their constitutional duties without undue interference.

Judicial financial autonomy concerns the arrangements through which the judiciary receives and manages resources required for its operations.

Its significance extends beyond administrative convenience.

Courts require funding for personnel, facilities, technology, case management and other operational responsibilities.

Where judicial institutions lack sufficient control over their resources, questions may arise about their ability to operate independently of other branches of government.

However, the precise implications of the proposed repeal would depend on the bill's provisions, including whether it seeks to replace the existing law with another financial framework.

The information presented at the ceremony did not include the full text of the bill or the government's explanation for proposing its repeal.

Consequently, the NBA's concerns remain an important warning requiring legislative scrutiny rather than proof that judicial independence has already been compromised.

Education Bills Also Attract Attention

Omorodion identified other legislative proposals before the Edo State House of Assembly.

These included measures seeking to repeal the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board Law and the Bendel State Post-Primary Education Edict of 1988.

The proposed changes also involve establishing an Edo State Senior Secondary Education Board.

Although the NBA chairman drew attention to the measures, the information provided did not detail the association's specific objections to the education-related proposals.

Further examination of the bills would be required to determine how they could affect educational administration, institutional responsibilities and service delivery.

The legislative proposals nevertheless underline the importance of public consultation when governments seek to restructure institutions responsible for essential services.

Judicial Reform Requires Both Speed and Independence

The issues raised during Edo's legal year ceremony reveal two connected challenges facing the justice system.

The first is the need to reduce delays that prevent citizens from obtaining timely decisions.

The second is the need to protect the institutional independence required for courts to deliver those decisions fairly.

Speed alone cannot guarantee justice if proceedings compromise due process or expose judicial officers to improper influence.

Equally, constitutional guarantees of independence offer limited protection to citizens if cases remain unresolved for excessive periods.

Effective reform must therefore address case management, judicial funding, professional accountability, legal representation and access to court services.

It must also consider the needs of vulnerable citizens who may struggle to afford litigation or navigate complex legal procedures.

The proposed repeal of Edo's judicial financial autonomy law adds a further dimension to this debate.

Lawmakers will need to examine whether any replacement arrangement adequately protects the judiciary's ability to perform its constitutional responsibilities.

A New Legal Year, an Old Test of Public Confidence

As Edo State begins the 2026/2027 Legal Year, the messages from the attorney-general, senior advocates and the NBA converge on the importance of a justice system that commands public confidence.

Otaru's demand for faster justice challenges the judiciary to demonstrate measurable improvements in the handling of cases.

Edosomwan's appeal places the experiences of ordinary citizens at the centre of judicial responsibility.

Omorodion's warning highlights the need to safeguard the institutional foundations upon which independent adjudication depends.

The real test will come in the months ahead, through the progress of pending cases, the treatment of vulnerable litigants, the management of criminal trials and the legislative decisions affecting judicial autonomy.

For citizens seeking justice in Edo State, the promise of a new legal year will matter most when it produces courts that are accessible, independent, fair and capable of delivering judgments without avoidable delay.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.