The Edo State Government has announced far-reaching reforms in its justice sector, aimed at making legal processes more accessible, efficient, and fair to all citizens.
In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the government said the reforms are part of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s vision to build a secure and developed state anchored on justice.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Raphael Osagie, who is spearheading the reforms, said the Ministry of Justice has been repositioned within nine months of the governor’s assumption of office as the “bedrock of peace, order, and good governance.”
According to Osagie, the Department of Public Prosecutions is currently handling over 2,000 active criminal cases, ranging from murder and robbery to kidnapping, arson, and sexual violence. He noted that dozens of convictions have already been secured and upheld by higher courts, reflecting the diligence of Edo prosecutors.
He explained that the administration has streamlined the process of rendering legal opinions and initiating prosecutions, while also expanding access to justice through the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme, which now provides suspects with immediate legal representation at the point of arrest.
On civil matters, the Attorney-General disclosed that the state has successfully defended hundreds of cases, mediated sensitive land disputes, and secured multiple favorable judgments, saving citizens years of prolonged litigation.
Highlighting legislative interventions, he listed the extension of the retirement age for magistrates, the establishment of regulatory agencies, amendments to property protection laws, and the development of a new healthcare regulation framework.
The government also strengthened the Citizens’ Mediation Centre and the Department of Citizens’ Rights to resolve domestic violence and workplace disputes without lengthy court processes.
On correctional reforms, Governor Okpebholo has approved measures to decongest custodial centres, particularly focusing on inmates held for years over bailable offences. “This is not just a legal reform; it is a humane intervention that restores dignity and gives people a second chance at life,” Osagie said.
He further revealed ongoing institutional strengthening within the ministry, including retraining state counsels at the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, establishing a dedicated appeals office, and plans for a digitised law library and e-case management system.
“What Governor Okpebholo is doing is restoring justice as the heartbeat of governance,” Osagie stressed. “By prosecuting criminals swiftly, defending citizens’ rights, reforming laws, mediating disputes, and protecting the vulnerable, the administration is ensuring justice in Edo State is for all, not just the privileged few.”
The Edo State Government reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining these reforms, assuring residents that justice delivery will remain central to peace, security, and sustainable development in the state.
