Edo Civil Society Organisations has called on the Chief Judge of Edo state and the National Judicial Council to investigate the traffic infraction involving the high court judge, Justice Geraldine.
In a statement issued and signed by the group the Interim TEC Chairman, EDOCSO, Leftist Austine Enabulele said the issue of traffic infractions cannot be swept under the carpet, it must be addressed and dealt with. We are calling on the Chief Judge of Edo state and the National Judicial Council to investigate the traffic infraction involving the high court judge and related issues. This will in turn build confidence in the vast majority of the populace that the law must be respected by all and sundry, Our government Institutions must be strengthened.”
Lamenting, Leftist Austine Enabulele said “we wouldn’t have had cause to further react to the unfortunate disposition of the high court judge in outright disregard for traffic laws, however, the arrest and subsequent detention of our former Public Relations Officer necessitated the need to put the records straight. We will not fold its arms and watch our laws being disrespected by those that should know better and those that preside on similar infractions to award punishment and fines on offenders.”
Explaining further, Enabulele said “On the 17th of November, 2022, Comrade Osazee Edigin received a distress report from officers of Edo State Traffic Management Agency to the effect of being assaulted and manhandled by boys loyal to Hon. Justice Geraldine Imadegbelo, a high court judge for contravening a vehicle she was an occupant having run the red light in Navis junction along Mission road in Benin City. Evidence provided in videos.
As a social activist, he used his social media platform to bring the situation to public knowledge and called on the appropriate authorities to take action as the agency’s personnel feared for their lives as they were taken to the high court premises against their will.
Only for a petition was caused to be written against Comrade Osazee Edigin to the Nigeria Police, Edo state command. He honoured the police invitation and stated to the extent he knew about the incident which truly happened. The said petition never denied the fact that a traffic infraction took place with a vehicle conveying the judge but was only concerned about the role of Comrade Osazee Edigin putting the incident in public domain.”
From all indications, the petition, arrest and detention of Comrade Osazee Edigin were all ill-advised to divert attention from the already committed traffic infraction and the roles played by the high court judge. It can also be viewed as an attempt to intimidate and silence Comrade Osazee Edigin.
Edo Civil Society Organisations as the voice of the people will stand tall to speak truth to power at all times. The brazen disregard and disrespect for traffic law is most unfortunate expected of a judicial officer that has sworn to an oath of office. It would appear the law is only made for the poor and not those that are supposed to uphold it.
One would have expected the judge to tender an apology and allow her driver to face the legal process like every other citizen she sits in judgement on. What then becomes the impression of the common citizens on obedience to the law when a judge hasn’t shown a good example?
For all it is worth, Comrade Osazee Edigin hasn’t committed any crime for reporting what happened and should be left out of the issue in focus.