NewStats: 3,265,436 , 8,186,739 topics. Date: Saturday, 14 June 2025 at 11:17 PM 3o4e6c

Legal and ethical questions have surfaced following an allegation by prominent human rights lawyer and judicial reform advocate, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, concerning a reported late-night encounter between Supreme Court Justice Inyang Okoro and the Edo State Attorney General, Hon. Samson Osagie.

In a series of social media posts, Prof. Odinkalu stated that on the evening of June 12, Justice Okoro was seen at the premises of Protea Hotel, near ShopRite in Benin City, in the company of the Attorney General. According to the professor, the meeting occurred shortly after 8 p.m.

Prof. Odinkalu also shared a short video clip, in which a man he identified as Justice Okoro was seen at the reception area of the hotel. The footage appeared to show a man matching the Justice’s profile speaking briefly with reception staff before walking out of frame.

The timing of the alleged encounter has raised particular concern, coming just two days after Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State, filed a notice of appeal at the Supreme Court. The appeal challenges the Court of Appeal’s decision affirming the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Justice Okoro, a senior member of Nigeria’s apex court, is not unfamiliar with controversy. In 2016, he was among several justices arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) during a widely publicized anti-corruption sweep. Though never formally charged and later reinstated to the bench, the episode remains a touchstone in debates around judicial integrity in Nigeria.

Nigeria’s Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers underscores the importance of both propriety and the appearance of propriety. Judges are expected to avoid private or social interactions that could create the perception of bias or special relationships with parties who have matters before the court. The Code explicitly warns that judicial officers must be mindful of how their conduct appears to the public and avoid situations that could undermine confidence in their impartiality.

In one of his posts, Prof. Odinkalu wrote:

“Three days ago, on 10 June, Asue Ighodalo appealed to the Supreme Court against the decision of the Court of Appeal in the governorship petition. Shortly after 8 p.m. last night, a senior, male JSC left Protea Hotel (near ShopRite in Benin) in the company of the Edo State Attorney-Gen. How so?!”

When ed for comment, Attorney General Samson Osagie denied the report, stating that he does not know the judge in question. He added, “It is not an offense to walk about freely,” but declined to provide further clarification.

Prof. Odinkalu, a former Chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, has been a consistent voice on the need for transparency in judicial conduct. Reiterating the core principle of public trust in the justice system, he noted, “Justice must not only be done, but must be seen to have been done.”

Neither Justice Okoro nor the National Juducial Council have responded to these allegations.

https://x.com/chidiodinkalu/status/1933506962391449826?s=46

Nigeria we hail thee, our own dear native land.

Too bad, Nigerian judiciary is getting worse day by day. The CJN should look into it and act appropriately, Edo people will not take nonsense this time around

I guess they told us judiciary is our last hope .........

Since the Nigeria judiciary are trying to cover the day light rubbery of the rightful winner of Edo state governorship election God will put them in the same position whatever that is theirs will be taking from them and giving to another.

Corrupt judge and a very corrupt system bastardized by APC. APC has destroyed everything in this country. It's sad. INEC, police and APC leaders changed Edo governorship result and judiciary is helping them to cover up the Electoral irregularities despite overwhelming documents certified true copies by INEC confirming Asue Ighodalo of PDP as the true winner. We're watching 🤔

The CJN should seriously look into this and redeem the image of the Judiciary.
Enough of this game, Justice should be served, Edo State will be better for it with Asue Ighodalo

Them no no say them go catch them. Them for do am on zoom call na

The country, Nigeria, is a zoo.
Q.E.D
Chai

They can meet in proxy if they really want to manipulate the court verdict. I don't agree with this assumption abeg

Justice sold is justice denied

We keep losing faith in the justice system

Justice Okoro should rescue himself from the bench as a matter of political expediency

A whole JSC agreed to meet a party in a case in his court in the full glare public. How is that one possible

This guy needs to be careful. He has been disparaging the supreme court justices. I hope he is ready for the consequences.

Odinkalu needs to stop taking bitter noodles, it only leads to excessive stooling. He makes needles and careless insinuations against the revered justices of the Supreme court and Appeal Courts.. NJC needs to wield the big hammer. Your candidate lost doesn't mean you have to become satanic.


-Kiss the truth!

cjudy:
Them no no say them go catch them. Them for do am on zoom call na

that's even worse. Law enforcement is monitoring them

Doss he have evidence to back up his allegations........

What we have in our hands is criminal state capture

Nigeria my country. Nigeria we hail thee.

We can see that judiciary is on trial by itself. Technicality is what will finish it.

They will say he hates Tinubu,

But if they are not in government they will shout more than others.

This hypocrisy mentality is just out of this world.


🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Claire2023:
The CJN should seriously look into this and redeem the image of the Judiciary.
Enough of this game, Justice should be served, Edo State will be better for it with Asue Ighodalo

CJN wey be mother of all corruption na hin go come look into it. It is only Nigerians that can save Nigeria not the Judiciary, not the politicians

The Nigerian judiciary has gone to the dogs

Yemmysworld91:
They can meet in proxy if they really want to manipulate the court verdict. I don't agree with this assumption abeg

no be una again ? Nobody expects you people to agree with any assumption but go and ask any lawyer worth his/her salt the implications of this scenario. You people are very funny

Successsearch90:
Doss he have evidence to back up his allegations........

I dey laugh una with una strange reasoning sometimes but I'm never surprised

Why is this Odinkalu always flying a kite especially on his jurisdiction - the Judiciary?
Is he trying to Undermines it and for what purposes?
Are they no longer Lawyers that attends the Courts anymore?

ogugwa1992:

https://x.com/chidiodinkalu/status/1933506962391449826?s=46

Is like frontage shenanigans don reduce

Since 6:38pm first page not yet complete

gbengayandipo20:
Corrupt judge and a very corrupt system bastardized by APC. APC has destroyed everything in this country. It's sad. INEC, police and APC leaders changed Edo governorship result and judiciary is helping them to cover up the Electoral irregularities despite overwhelming documents certified true copies by INEC confirming Asue Ighodalo of PDP as the true winner. We're watching 🤔

When Buhari went against some judges and Okoro was among , you people ed Wike for defending them and called buhari's government of trying to silence the judiciary who are even corrupt. Nobody should complain, expecially you south east who were the major ers of Wike then.

Judicial system has battered and destroyed by narcissist legal counselors...