The Edo State Government, under the leadership of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has unveiled a wave of transformative reforms in the justice sector, aimed at making justice more accessible, efficient, and inclusive for every citizen.
Within just nine months in office, Governor Okpebholo has repositioned the Ministry of Justice into a vital engine of governance, peace, and order, according to Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Raphael Osagie, who is at the helm of implementing these reforms.
“The vision is clear,” Dr. Osagie stated. “Governor Okpebholo is committed to building a secure, just, and developed Edo State. These reforms are not just about systems they are about people. Justice must be more than a promise; it must be a reality for all.”
The scale of impact is already visible. The Department of Public Prosecutions is currently handling over 2,000 active criminal cases ranging from murder and kidnapping to sexual violence and arson with several convictions upheld by higher courts. The prosecution process itself has been streamlined, accelerating justice delivery and cutting down bottlenecks.
One of the landmark reforms is the revitalisation of the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme, which now guarantees suspects immediate access to legal representation upon arrest — a significant step forward in ensuring fairness and protecting human rights.
On the civil side, Edo’s legal teams have defended and won hundreds of cases for the state, while also helping to peacefully resolve long-standing land disputes providing faster, less costly alternatives to traditional litigation.
New legislative reforms are reinforcing these institutional efforts. The state has extended the retirement age for magistrates, introduced new regulatory bodies, updated property protection laws, and begun building a modern healthcare legal framework to guide service delivery and accountability.
Key citizen-focused interventions include the strengthening of the Citizens’ Mediation Centre and the Department of Citizens’ Rights agencies designed to help resolve conflicts ranging from domestic violence to workplace disputes without the delays of a courtroom.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration is also tackling congestion in custodial centres by targeting inmates held for extended periods on bailable offences. “This is not just legal reform,” said Dr. Osagie. “It’s a humane initiative that restores hope and dignity.”
Institutional capacity is being boosted as well. State counsels are receiving fresh training through the John Odigie Oyegun Public Service Academy, while plans are underway for a fully digitised law library, e-case management systems, and a dedicated appeals unit all aimed at strengthening the backbone of the justice delivery system.
“What we are seeing,” Osagie concluded, “is a justice system that no longer serves only the powerful or the privileged. Governor Okpebholo is rebuilding it to serve everyone swiftly, fairly, and humanely.”
The Edo State Government has reiterated its resolve to sustain these reforms, positioning justice as not only a pillar of peace and security but a critical driver of sustainable development and trust in governance.
