4th February, 2022
By Jethro Ibileke
The Chief Judge of Edo, Honourable Justice Joe Itsebaga Acha, has commended the wife of the State Edo Governor, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, for her commitment to the fight against gender-based violence in the State.
Acha made the commendation on Thursday, when the Edo First Lady paid a courtesy call to the Chief Judge in his office, where presented copies of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law to him.
Mrs. Obaseki used the occasion to solicit the continued partnership of the Judiciary in the fight against gender-based violence in the State.
The State Commissioner for Gender and Social Development Barr. Maria Edekor, accompanied Mrs. Obaseki on the visit.
Responding, Justice Acha who described the Governor’s wife as Ambassador of the Judiciary, assured her of the partnership of the judiciary in the fight against gender-based violence.
According to him, “I want to thank you for your concern for the welfare of the less privileged and vulnerable ones in the society which this law seeks to protect. I assure you that the Judiciary is there for you.
“You are doing much more than is expected of you by taking the trouble to get this law printed and bringing it to us for our work. I assure you that we will partner with you.
“We also want to appeal to you that as was done in October last year that you continue to assist us with seminars so that we get used to this and we are also in the process of drafting practice direction for the implementation of this law.”
The Edo Chief Judge also commended Mrs. Obaseki for her commitment to the welfare of the Judiciary, saying “you are not only the Mother of the State, but we have identified you as an Ambassador of the Judiciary, for all you have been doing for us, the way you have been talking with His Excellency to see that our needs are met and that focus is also put on the Judiciary.
“We want to thank you because in all my years in the Judiciary, about 30 years now, this is the first time I have seen the First Lady of the State coming to visit us in the Judiciary. We want to thank you for your simplicity.”