Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state, on Monday, said the nation’s judiciary must be free from external interference in order to ensure a vibrant democracy.

Oshiomhole stated this at the valedictory court session held in honor of Justice Roland Amaize, who retired from the services of Edo Judiciary as High Court judge.

The Governor said: “we have come to appreciate the contributions of Justice Amaize to the maintenance of peace and the Edo judiciary is proud of him. Judges are no respecter of status and all men and women are equal and common before the law,” he said.

According to Oshiomhole, Amaize has shown a lot of courage in the discharge of his duties and has made landmark judgments.

“I congratulate the retiring jurist because giving the environment we live in where politicians draw them into the murky waters, it is not easy to rise to the highest level and retire without blemish,” he said.

The Chief Judge of Edo, Hon Justice Cromwell Idahosa, said that Amaize was an erudite judge and a scholar.

Idahosa said the retired jurist was the number two sitting judge in the hierarchy of judges, prior to his retirement on Jan. 5, 2013.

“His lordship was also the designate judge-in-charge of ICPC and EFCC cases in Edo state.

“He was the first member, Osun State legislative Governorship Elections Petitions Tribunal, Osogbo, and chairman Edo State Local Government Election Petition Appeal Tribunal, Benin City.

“Training and retraining brought out the best in Hon Justice Roland Izebe Amaize,” he said.

The Chief Judge said, “although his lordship has attained the mandatory sixty five years of retirement, let me with all sense of responsibility say here that, His lordship’s stamina and brilliance in the discharge of his duties did not wane.

“ For me, his brilliance and commitment to duty waxed even stronger and he clearly exhibited these traits up and until the 5th day of January 2013”, he said.

The valedictory court session attended by distinguished legal luminaries was characterized with free flow of encomiums on the contributions of Amaize to the judiciary.

Amaize, who commended the state government for its independence from the judiciary and the prompt payment of salaries to workers, lauded the cordial relationship between the judiciary and the executive. (NAN)