Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has sworn in three judges who his predecessor, Godwin Obaseki, refused to swear in, despite the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, NJC.

The three judges were sworn into the Edo State High Court at the Government House in Benin City on Monday.

Okpebholo charged the judges to maintain high standard of conduct, ensure fair dispute resolution, uphold the rights of citizens, and bring culprits to justice.

“During my swearing-in ceremony as Governor of Edo State on the 12th November 2024, I acknowledged the critical role of the judiciary under the doctrine of Separation of Powers. Today we are gathered here to strengthen that role for the judiciary.

“The National Judicial Council in June 2023 had recommended eight persons for appointment as judges of the Edo State High Court.

“Eleven months after that recommendation, only five of them were sworn-in by the immediate-past administration, leaving out three, even when they had all been cleared and recommended by the same NJC.

“In my inaugural speech, I made a promise to look into the case. Today we have the privilege to right the wrong.

“The three judges will now have the opportunity to sit with their colleagues at the bench of the Edo State High Court, to discharge their duties as beacons of hope.

“For me, no one should be discriminated, marginalized nor hated for personal reasons, or on account of not having a godfather.

“As judges of the State High Court, we expect you to uphold high standard of conduct, ensure fair dispute resolution, uphold rights of citizens, and bring culprits to justice,” he said.

The three Judges sworn in are Ojo Maureen Osa, Okundamiya Godwin Jeff and Edoghogho Eboigbe.

Responding on behalf of the judges, Justice Ojo Maureen Osa thanked the governor for the opportunity given them to serve as judges in Edo State.

Justice Osa also appreciated the governor for making their swearing-in a reality, just three weeks into office.

She prayed that the governor’s tenure will be marked with success and advancement of justice for all.

“We assure you that we will dispense justice without fear or favour,” she stated.

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, has revealed why the northern governors are urging President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the contentious tax reform bills.

This comes following the stiff resistance the tax reform bills have faced from different quarters, especially from elites in Northern Nigeria.

The Northern Governors Forum, the Northern Elders Forum, the National Economic Council, and Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, among others, have openly called for the withdrawal of the bills because they do not reflect the region’s interests.

During his appearance on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Zulum clarified that the Northern Governors Forum is not opposed to the administration but rather seeks time for consultation.

Zulum emphasised that the northern governors are not against President Tinubu, considering the region contributed significantly to his 2023 electoral victory, with over 60 per cent of his votes coming from the north.

The governor expressed concerns that if the bill passes through the National Assembly, states would be disadvantaged, as Lagos State would be the primary beneficiary of the policy.

“I’m not withdrawing my statement; to my own observations, if this tax bill is passed, the North, South East, South South, and South West will all be shortchanged. The only state that will benefit is Lagos.”

President Tinubu in October asked the National Assembly to pass the bills into law.

The bills are the Joint Revenue Board of Nigeria (Establishment) Bill 2024-SB.583; the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill 2024-SB.584; the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill 2024-SB.585; and the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024-SB.586.

Despite the rejection, the tax reform bills passed a second reading in the Senate on November 28.

The 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar and his counterpart from the Labour Party, LP, Peter Obi have dismissed planning for the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku and Obi made the remark against the backdrop of their breakfast meeting in Yola, the Adamawa State Capital.

A video had emerged of both men seated together at a dining table, ready to have their meal.

However, Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe said the meeting was a reunion of two old friends.

Speaking with journalists about Saturday’s meeting, Ibe said: “Let us not jump the gun. The fact is that Obi accepted to be the keynote speaker at the 20th anniversary of AUN and the 16th Founder’s Day, which was a milestone. Obi is part of that celebration.

“The university was founded by Atiku Abubakar, who was more like his host. But people think it is because of politics. We all know our friends. The truth is that politics cannot separate friends.

“So Atiku invited him to breakfast and from there, they went for the programme. I think that is what happened.”

On his part, Obi’s media aide, Ibrahim Umar, said the meeting had no political undertone.

“There was nothing like that. They just invited him (Obi) to deliver a speech there. It has nothing to do with politics. Of course, you know people will always assume things,” he said.