By Gabriel Enogholase
BENIN — TO ensure that the Judiciary maintains its independence, Governor Adams Oshiomhole, yesterday, said the appointment of judicial officers should be devoid of political inclinations.

The governor made the call in Benin while administering oaths on the new Judge of Edo State High Court, Mrs. Vestee Eboreime.

“The appointment of judicial officers is one of those appointments that should never be politicised because as we have seen, but for the judiciary, the Nigerian democratic project would have been grounded long ago.

For us to have a courageous judiciary, that is truly independent, the foundation for that independence must be located in terms of the processes and procedures that lead to the appointment of the judicial officers.”

“Let me say publicly that I am proud of the fact that even though by law I was asked to do the formality of approving this appointment, in truth, this appointment has been made by the Judicial Service Commission.”

I think every responsible executive should resist the temptation of confusing his responsibilities for partisan patronage to that which is required of a State functionary”.

“The appointment of Judicial Officers under the Military seems to be more authentic than that done by the civilian governments, because of the weakness of the political class”, he said.

Re_affirming his determination to respect the independence of the judiciary, Comrade Oshiomhole said “one thing I have sworn never to do is is never to take any action that I know will compromise directly or indirectly on the independence of the judiciary.

“I want to assure my Lords and the Judiciary that Edo State will respect not only the Independence of the Judiciary, but we will do all we have to do to ensure that the Judiciary has what is needs to dispense justice without fear or favour”.

He ssured that Government would take measures to ensure that the facilities needed by the Court to function to its full potentials are put in place.

He saluted the courage of the judiciary saying “but for the judiciary, elections in Nigeria would have been settled with cutlasses”.

Responding, the newly sworn Judge, Mrs. Vestee Eboreime expressed gratitude to the Governor for the appointment.

She assured that she would discharge her duties with a deep sense of responsibility without fear or favour.