Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has signed two significant bills into law, marking a new phase in the state’s judiciary and oil sector governance.
The first bill raised the retirement age for magistrates in the state from 60 to 65 years.
The governor said the move was intended to enhance the efficiency and experience of the judicial officers by allowing seasoned magistrates to serve longer, thereby improving the administration of justice in the state.
The governor also assented to a bill that increased the number of members of the state’s oil agency.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Fred Itua, the governor said the expansion was expected to improve governance, representation, and operational efficiency within the oil agency, as well as ensure better management of the state’s oil resources and foster economic growth.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Okpebholo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening institutions that drove justice and economic development.
He emphasised that these legislative actions aligned with the state’s vision of enhancing judicial integrity and optimising the benefits of its natural resources for the people of Edo State.
The newly-signed bills were expected to take immediate effect, with relevant stakeholders expressing optimism over their potential impacts on governance and service delivery in the state.
