Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of Justice Mary Nekpen Asemota as the Acting President of the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal.
The appointment was announced by the Edo State Government on Monday, June 1.
According to a statement issued by the Secretary to the Edo State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, the appointment is in line with Section 55 (1) of the Customary Court of Appeal (Re-establishment) Law of Edo State, 2025.
The statement quoted the law as providing that: “Pending the exercise by the National Judicial Council of its powers to recommend a substantive president and judges of the court, the Governor shall in accordance with the provisions of Section 281 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, (as amended) appoint as acting president the most senior Judge of the defunct Customary Court Of Appeal who is still serving, before the coming of the Customary Court Of Appeal Law (Repeal) Law 2015 and this Law’’.
It explained that Justice Asemota emerged as the most senior Judge of the defunct Customary Court of Appeal, who is still serving in the Edo State Judiciary and is therefore eligible for appointment as Acting President of the court.
The government described Justice Asemota as a distinguished jurist with over four decades of experience in the Nigerian legal system, noting that her career spans private legal practice, Customary Court administration, appellate adjudication at the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal, and service on the High Court bench.
The statement further noted that since March 2016, Justice Asemota has served as a Judge of the High Court of Justice, Edo State, where she has continued to demonstrate exceptional legal knowledge, extensive institutional experience and commitment to the administration of justice.
According to the government, her contributions to the legal profession and the justice system have been marked by excellence, integrity, leadership and judicial distinction.
The statement added that Justice Asemota will be sworn into office by Governor Okpebholo on a date to be announced.
