Thirty six States and a Federal Capital Territory, Abuja make up the Nigerian Federation. Each of those States is empowered to establish, maintain and develop judicial institutions, processes and human capabilities necessary to assure a system of law and order within their respective domains. Edo State is one of them.


The State's Judicature is made up:

• of the judges, lawyers, non-judge staff of judicial centers; 
• Lawyers, the local chapter of the Nigerian Bar Association, paralegal and support staff of law firms in the State that work its judicial centers;
• Appellate bodies, like the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the Court of Appeal which have obligatory jurisdiction, at statutorily defined stages over the tribunals that operate in the State.
• judicial research or regulatory institutions applicable to the state;
• the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, local, customary and international laws applicable in the State as well as Court precedents, internal Court rules and procedures that bind its judiciary;
  
• quasi-judicial bodies and panels which activities are reviewed by the judiciary;
• Alternative Dispute Resolution centers in the State;
• Support and regulatory institutions in the State;
• Law libraries, police, prison services and other;
• other arms and department of government which existence are critical to the funding, maintenance and appointment into the State’s judicial and related centers; and
• the people and stakeholders of the State for whom the State’s judiciary and other dispute resolution processes and facilities of the State exist.

THE STATE JUDICIARY

The Judiciary of the State is a very key component of the its judicature. It is made up of judges, non-judge members of staff of the State judicial service, courts/tribunals and other judicial facilities, records and subsisting judgments obtained within the jurisdiction of the State court system which its courts are obligated to defend and enforce.

The Judiciary exist, chiefly, to interpret, apply and direct the enforcement of the laws, customs, and conventions that make up the State’ legal system. It’s sphere also extends to the protection or preservation of contracts, rights and freedoms that define the socio-political and economic space of the State.

It also helps to preserve and protect the rights and freedoms of individuals and corporate bodies in the State from the over-bearing reach of State officialdom or from other non-state entities – including multinational and local organizations that operate in the State.

Its reach even extends to the review of decisions of disciplinary panels of various professional and corporate organizations in the State.

Courts or tribunals found in the State could be broadly classified as national, state courts. Federal courts have jurisdiction over certain federal matters or objects in any corner of Nigeria. These include the Federal High Court; National Industrial Court; Code of Conduct Tribunal, Investment and Securities Tribunal, etc. These courts are either situated within the State or at a regional headquarter where the State is classified.

However, the class of courts with the greater presence and degree of interaction with local residents are State courts. These include the State High Court; Magistrate Courts; Customary Court of Appeal and Customary/Native Courts, etc.

In recent times, alternative dispute resolution practices are becoming integrated into the judicial processes of Nigeria. Thus, not only are arbitral and mediated agreements being given the imprimateur of the Courts for enforcement, they are also being statutorily welded into State courts – as multi-door Courts.

HIERARCHY OF COURTS

The Supreme Court sits as the final appellate judicial authority over all the judicial and quasi-judicial processes in the State, followed by the Court of Appeal.

The State High Court and Customary Court of Appeal are the highest ranking tribunals under the direct control of the State government. They also have co-ordinate jurisdiction–equal and independent standing- between themselves but are restricted to matters and objects statutorily assigned to them.  Nonetheless, in spite of that, the Chief Justice of the State High State is regarded as the head of its judiciary.

The Federal High Court of the in the State and other federal tribunals of co-ordinate jurisdiction, like the National Industrial Court, Electoral Tribunals, Code of Conduct Bureau and special tribunals like the Disciplinary Body of various Professional bodies also have equal but independent standing with the top state tribunals even though their jurisdictions are different. They operate within the State but are not under the control of the State government as their operational dependency resides in the federal government - or for the disciplinary tribunals, on the control and funding of the mechanism designated for them - usually by statute. Each of them cannot review a decision of the other and appeal lie from them straight to the Court of Appeal.

The magistrate courts and the area customary courts bring up the lower rung of the judiciary of the State.

JUDGES OF EDO STATE HIGH COURT

S/NO	NAMES	RANK	STATION
1	HON. JUSTICE CROMWEL IDAHOSA	CHIEF JUDGE	HIGH COURT 1, BENIN CITY
2	HON. JUSTICE C.O. IDAHOSA	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 2, BENIN CITY
3	HON. JUSTICE M.O. OYANNA	JUDGE	HIGH COURT, FUGAR AND AGENEBODE
4	HON. JUSTICE R.I. AMAIZE	JUDGE	HIGH COURT, UBIAJA
5	HON. JUSTICE T. AKOMOLAFE WILSON	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 3, BENIN CITY
6	HON. JUSTICE E.F. IKPOMWEN	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 4, BENIN CITY
7	HON. JUSTICE A.N. EHIGIAMUSOE	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 5, BENIN CITY
8	HON. JUSTICE F.O. AKINBAMI	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 6, BENIN CITY
9	HON. JUSTICE E.A. EDIGIN	JUDGE	HIGH COURT, AFUZE
10	HON. JUSTICE J.A OSADIAYE	JUDGE	HIGH COURT, IGUOBAZUWA
11	HON. JUSTICE S.O. OIGBOKIE	JUDGE	HIGH COURT, OKADA
12	HON. JUSTICE F.S. ERHONSELE	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 1, AUCHI
13	HON. JUSTICE J.I. ACHA	JUDGE	HIGH COURT, UROMI
14	HON. JUSTICE M.O. IGHODALO	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 7, BENIN CITY
15	HON. JUSTICE D.I OKUNGBOWA	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 8, BENIN CITY
16	HON. JUSTICE P.I. IMOEDEMHE	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 9, BENIN CITY
17	HON. JUSTICE A.E. ERUAGA	JUDGE	HIGH COURT, EKPOMA
18	HON. JUSTICE E. IKPONMWOBA	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 2, AUCHI
19	HON. JUSTICE A.N. ERHABOR	JUDGE	HIGH COURT, IGARRA
20	HON. JUSTICE E.O. AHAMIOJE	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 10, BENIN CITY
21	HON. JUSTICE G.O. IMADEGBELO	JUDGE	HIGH COURT, SABO-ORA
22	HON. JUSTICE J.A. OYAKHIROME	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 11, BENIN CITY
23	HON. JUSTICE I.U. ERAMEH	JUDGE	HIGH COURT, ABUDU
24	HON. JUSTICE H.A. COURAGE-OGBEBOR	JUDGE	HIGH COURT 12, BENIN CITY

EDO STATE CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL JUDGES

S/N	NAME		RANK		COURT
1	Hon. Justice Joseph Otabor Olubor		President, Customary Court of Appeal		Customary Court of Appeal Aiguobasinmwin Crescent  G.R.A Benin City
2	Hon. Justice Peter Osaretinmwen Isibor		Judge, Customary Court of Appeal		Customary Court of Appeal Aiguobasinmwin Crescent   G.R.A Benin City
3	Hon. Justice Mary Nekpen Asemota		Judge, Customary Court of Appeal		Customary Court of Appeal Aiguobasinmwin Crescent   G.R.A Benin City
4	Hon. Justice Timothy Ukpebor Oboh		Judge, Customary Court of Appeal		Customary Court of Appeal Aiguobasinmwin Crescent   G.R.A Benin City
5	Hon. Justice Peter Akhimie Akhihiero		Judge, Customary Court of Appeal		Customary Court of Appeal Aiguobasinmwin Crescent   G.R.A Benin City
6	Hon. Justice Ohimai Ovbiagele		Judge, Customary Court of Appeal		Customary Court of Appeal Aiguobasinmwin Crescent   G.R.A Benin City
7	Mrs. A. E. Aibaogun		Chief Registrar, Customary Court of Appeal		Customary Court of Appeal Aiguobasinmwin Crescent   G.R.A Benin City
8	Mr. A. T. Momodu		Deputy Chief Registrar 1, Customary Court of Appeal		Customary Court of Appeal Aiguobasinmwin Crescent   G.R.A Benin City
9	Mr. B. O. Osawaru		Deputy Chief Registrar II, Customary Court of Appeal		Customary Court of Appeal Aiguobasinmwin Crescent   G.R.A Benin City

MAGISTRATE COURTS LOCATIONS AND THEIR JUDGES

S/N	NAMES	RANK	STATION
1	Mr. J. U. Omonua	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court, Igarra
2	Mr. J. U. Oyomire	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court, Ubiaja
3	Mrs. R. Irele-Ifije	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court 1, Benin City
4	Mr. P. E. Asemota	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court, Okada
5	Mrs. P. I. Braimah	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court 1, Auchi
6	Mr. Momoh Dirisu	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court 1, Ekpoma
7	Mr. H. I. Enamaku	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court, Iguobazuwa
8	Mr. F. O. Idiake	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court, Uromi
9	Mrs. M. C. Ojobo	Chief Magistrate 1	Oredo Magistrate’s Court 1, Benin City
10	Mrs. M. U. Iluobe	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court  2, Benin City
11	Mr. W. I. Aziegbemhin	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate Court 3, Benin City
12	Mrs. E. I. Bazuaye	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court 4, Benin City
13	Mrs. C. A. Nwoha	Chief Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court 2, Ekpoma
14	Mrs. F. V. Aiboni-Asagba	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Courts, Benin City
15	Mrs. V. I. Adamaigbo	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Igueben
16	Mr. M. O. Ovbiagele	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court 5, Benin City
17	Mr. F. P. Akhere	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Igbanke
18	Mrs. M. Adebanjo	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court 6, Benin City
19	Mr. M. Osaro Osayi	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Okpella
20	Mrs. R. A. Ogbevoen	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court 7, Benin City
21	Mrs. S. I. Oghoator	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Ugo
22	F. E. Okunrobo	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Uzebba
23	Mrs. T. O. Omoruyi	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court 8, Benin
24	Mr. M.A. Ihenyen	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Ibillo
25	Mr. J. Ogbeide	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Afuze
26	Mrs. J.A. Ejale	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Agbede
27	A. Abhulimen Iyoha	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Agenebode
28	Mrs. E.O. Aimofumeh	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Irrua
29	Mrs. Oghuma Caroline Enere	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Ehor
30	Efe Osamudiamen	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Sabo-Ora
31	Mr. Igbinosa Erhahon Friday	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Fugar
32	Mrs. Garuba h. Oshione	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Ogbeson
33	Mr. Ehigiamusoe M. Michael	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court 9, Benin City
34	Miss Akpelle B. Patience	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court 10, Benin City
35	Miss Abdulai i. Awawu	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court, Jattu
36	Mrs. Iyoha Isi-Ukhun	Chief Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court 11,  Benin City
37	Princess Mrs. T. Ogiogwa	Senior Magistrate 1	Oredo Magistrate Court, Benin City
38	Mrs Edowaye Evelyn Edokpayi	Senior Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court 12, Benin City
39	Prince Mutairu Oare	Senior Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court 13, Benin City
40	Mrs. Endurance Osemwengie	Senior Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court 14, Benin City
41	Mrs. Victoria Oyekpen	Senior Magistrate 1	Magistrate’s Court 2, Auchi
42	Mrs. Maureen Omoruyi .O.	Senior Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court , Abudu
43	Mrs. Efe Monday Edomwonyi	Senior Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court 12, Iruekpen
44	Miss Nogiomwan P.  Edogun	Senior Magistrate 2	Magistrate’s Court 12, Urhonigbe

There are 27 magisterial districts in Edo State with 44 magistrates viz:

1. Igarra Magisterial District
2. Ubiaja Magisterial District
3. Okada Magisterial District
4. Auchi Magisterial District
5. Ekpoma Magisterial District
6. Iguobazuwa Magisterial District
7. Uromi Magisterial District
8. Benin Magisterial District
9. Oredo Magisterial District
10. Ehor Magisterial District
11. Igueben Magisterial District
12. Igbanke Magisterial District
13. Okpella Magisterial District
14. Ugo Magisterial District
15. Uzebba Magisterial District
16. Ibillo Magisterial District
17. Afuze Magisterial District
18. Agbede Magisterial District
19. Agenebode Magisterial District
20. Irrua Magisterial District
21. Sabongidda Ora Magisterial District
22. Fugar Magisterial District
23. Ogbeson Magisterial District
24. Jattu Magisterial District
25. Abudu Magisterial District
26. Iruekpen Magisterial District
27. Urhonigbe Magisterial District

EDO STATE AREA CUSTOMARY COURTS PRESIDENTS

S/N	NAME	RANK	COURT
1	Mr. John Fisher Akhimie	President Grade 1,	Oredo Area Customary Court, 1 Benin City
2	Mr. S. O. Okoyo	President Grade 1	Area Customary Court Igarra
3	Mrs. O.D. Fiade-Isiramen	President Grade 1	Oredo Area Customary Court, 111 Benin City
4	Mrs. D. O. Ihaza	President Grade 1	Area Customary Court IV, Benin City
5	Mrs. M.E. Itsueli	President Grade 1	Area Customary Court I1, Benin City
6	Mr. T. A. Aghagboren	President Grade 1	Area Customary Court Abudu
7	Mr. B. E. Imohimi	President Grade 1	Area Customary Court Igueben
8	Mr. B. E. Oniha	President Grade 1	Area Customary Court Agenebode
9	Mrs. T. R. Enabulele	President Grade 1	Area Customary Court V, Benin City
10	Mr. James O. Otoghile	President Grade 1	Area Customary Court Uwelu
11	Mr. D. O. Elogie	President Grade 1	Area Customary Court Auchi
12	Mr. R. Imafidon	President Grade 1	Area Customary Court 1 Idogbo
13	Mrs. E. I. Eweka	President Grade II	Area Customary Court Irrua
14	Mrs. J. O. Imuekemhe	President Grade II	Area Customary Court II Oregbeni
15	Mrs. E. Dele-Ogbeide	President Grade II	Area Customary Court Uromi
16	Mrs. K. A. Orbih	President Grade II	Area Customary Court Iguobazuwa
17	Mr. B. E. Osagie	President Grade II	Area Customary Court Ubiaja
18	Mr. C. O. Usifoh	President Grade II	Area Customary Court Afuze
19	Mr. U. R. Akpara	President Grade II	Area Customary Court Fugar
20	Mr. V. A. Ehizojie	President Grade II	Area Customary Court Sabongida Ora
21	Mrs. I. F. Afolayan	President Grade II	Area Customary Court Okada
22	Mrs. E. S. Otamere	President Grade II	Area Customary Court Ehor
23	Mrs. G. Ikhuoriah	President Grade II	Area Customary Court Ekpoma

 

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