BENIN CITY — Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has approved the appointment of Hon. Justice Mary Nekpen Asemota as the Acting President of the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Musa Ikhilor, Esq., who said the decision was made in accordance with the provisions of the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal (Re-establishment) Law, 2025.
According to the statement, Section 55(1) of the law empowers the Governor to appoint an acting president of the court pending the recommendation of a substantive president and judges by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The provision stipulates that the appointment should be made from among the most senior judges of the defunct Customary Court of Appeal who are still serving in the Edo State Judiciary.
The government stated that Hon. Justice Mary Nekpen Asemota emerged as the most senior eligible judicial officer of the defunct Customary Court of Appeal who remains in active service, making her qualified for the position.
Justice Asemota is widely regarded as an accomplished jurist with more than four decades of experience in Nigeria’s legal system. Her career has spanned private legal practice, customary court administration, appellate adjudication at the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal and service on the High Court bench.
Since her appointment as a Judge of the High Court of Justice, Edo State, in March 2016, she has continued to contribute significantly to the administration of justice through her extensive legal expertise, institutional knowledge and commitment to judicial excellence.
The state government noted that her professional journey has been marked by integrity, leadership and outstanding service to the legal profession and judiciary.
According to the statement, Justice Asemota will be sworn into office by Governor Okpebholo at a date to be announced.
