Edo State’s judiciary and legal practitioners have unanimously pledged their full support for Governor Monday Okpebholo’s intensified fight against cultism and kidnapping.
This strong endorsement emerged during a high-level meeting on Tuesday at the Government House in Benin City, where Governor Okpebholo hosted the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, along with a delegation of judges and members of the legal community.
Presiding over the meeting, Governor Okpebholo emphasized the importance of a strong, collaborative relationship between the executive and judiciary, which he described as “very cordial.”
“I appreciate the synergy we’ve shared so far,” he noted. “Whenever I seek legal counsel, the judiciary responds quickly and constructively.”
Reaffirming his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on insecurity, the Governor appealed for continued judicial collaboration to combat the growing threats of cult-related violence and kidnapping.
“There’s a serious fight against cultism, and I am not taking it lightly,” he said. “These crimes are major obstacles to our economic progress. We must reduce them drastically so our communities can thrive, and our children can invest and feel safe.”
Governor Okpebholo’s renewed call for unity follows recent legislative reforms, including the passage of the Secret Cult and Similar Activities (Prohibition) Law, 2025, and the Kidnapping Prohibition (Amendment) Law, 2025. These laws impose stiff penalties:
- A 10-year jail term for harboring cultists
- 21 years imprisonment for cultists who inflict injury or destroy property
- Death penalty for kidnappers in cases resulting in the victim’s death
In support of the judiciary’s efficiency, Governor Okpebholo pledged to address pressing institutional needs—particularly the recruitment of more judicial officers to tackle the growing caseload and ensure timely justice delivery.
Earlier, Chief Judge Okungbowa highlighted the judiciary’s manpower challenges, citing the emigration of several legal professionals seeking better opportunities abroad. The Governor acknowledged the concern and assured swift intervention to bolster the judiciary’s capacity.
The Chief Judge’s presence, alongside a united delegation of judges and judicial officers, underscored the legal community’s shared commitment to upholding law, peace, and justice in Edo State.
The meeting ultimately reaffirmed a strengthened alliance between the executive and judiciary, unified in purpose to eliminate criminal threats and secure a safer future for all Edo residents.
