Okpebholo Appoints Justice Asemota Acting President of Edo Customary Court of Appeal

BENIN CITY: The Edo State Government has announced the appointment of Hon. Justice Mary Nekpen Asemota as the Acting President of the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal.

The appointment, approved by Governor Monday Okpebholo, was conveyed in a special government announcement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq.

According to the statement, the appointment is in line with Section 55(1) of the Customary Court of Appeal (Re-establishment) Law of Edo State, 2025, which empowers the governor to appoint, in acting capacity, the most senior judge of the defunct Customary Court of Appeal still serving in the Edo State Judiciary, pending the recommendation of a substantive president and judges of the court by the National Judicial Council.

The government said Justice Asemota emerged as the eligible appointee, being the most senior judge of the defunct Customary Court of Appeal who is still in service.

It described her as a distinguished jurist with over four decades of experience in the Nigerian legal system.

Her career, the statement noted, spans private legal practice, customary court administration, appellate adjudication at the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal and service on the High Court bench.

Since March 2016, Justice Asemota has served as a Judge of the High Court of Justice, Edo State, where she has continued to bring extensive legal knowledge, institutional experience and commitment to the administration of justice.

The government said her contributions to the development of the legal profession and justice delivery system reflect a legacy of distinguished service, leadership and judicial excellence.

Justice Asemota is expected to be sworn into office by Governor Okpebholo at a later date.