By Wilson Adekumola
The Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Joe Acha, has etired from State Judiciary service at the age of 65 years on Friday
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the newly sworn-in acting Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, described the retiring Chief Judge as an exemplary jurist with unquestionable repute.
Okungbowa was sworn-in earlier as acting Chief Judge on Friday by the Governor of the State, Godwin Obaseki.
A valedictory court session was held in honour of retiring Justice Acha at the state High Court in Benin.
Justice Okungbowa regarded the retiring Justice Acha as an incorruptible judge, adding that he was a jurist high sense of professionalism, unbendable and uncompromising in dispensing Justice to those who deserved it.
Also speaking, the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, state Ministry of Justice, Prof. Faith Osadolor, said the retiring Chief Judge earned for himself the virtues of honesty, integrity, uncommon resilience and cerebral sagacity.
Rev. Fr Edwin Omorogbe, during Mass at St Paul”s Catholic Church, said Justice Acha was a devoted Catholic and a Papa knight of the Order of St. Sylvester (KSS).
Rev. Omorogbe, during a sermon, said good people’s sorrow turned to joy no matter what.
While urging the judiciary to feel internal joy, the cleric said there was internal joy “when you do good and no matter where you find yourself, no one can take your joy that you feel and it’s natural”.
Acha, however, expressed his profound gratitude to former governors Adams Oshiomhole and Lucky Igbenedion, the Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, Mr Julius Aikusr and others for their support.
Acha, born on May 19, 1958 and clocked 65 years on Friday, was sworn in as acting Chief Judge on May 16, 2021, and was confirmed as Substantive Chief Judge on Oct. 6, 2021.
Justice Acha an indigene of Okpekpe, Etsako East Local Government Area of the state was the first chief judge from Etsako East