‘Enough is Enough’: IBI Demands End to Attacks on Edo CJ Okungbowa
By Arit Mbeh
LAGOS, Nigeria — June 11, 2026. The Independent Bar Initiative (IBI) has strongly condemned what it described as a coordinated campaign of malicious attacks against the Chief Judge of Edo State, warning that attempts to intimidate the head of the state’s judiciary will not be tolerated.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos, the legal advocacy group accused “sponsored propagandists and spin masters” of orchestrating a sustained smear campaign aimed at undermining the integrity and reputation of the Chief Judge.
According to the group, the attacks are part of a calculated effort to tarnish the image of a judicial officer it described as one of Nigeria’s most principled and respected judicial leaders.
“The ongoing smear campaign orchestrated by sponsored propagandists and spin masters to paint the Chief Judge in a bad light will not succeed,” the statement said.
The Independent Bar Initiative stressed the need to preserve the independence of the judiciary, noting that the courts must remain insulated from political interference and external pressures.
Citing Section 121 of the Constitution, the group emphasized that judicial independence is a constitutional imperative and that the judiciary, as one of the three co-equal arms of government, must be allowed to function autonomously and without intimidation.
“The judiciary cannot and will not thrive on frivolous diatribes or favoritism. It thrives solely on what is legally right,” the statement added.
Addressing recent controversies surrounding appointments within the Edo State judiciary, particularly those connected to the Customary Court of Appeal, the group maintained that the Chief Judge acted strictly in accordance with due process and established legal principles.
The Initiative argued that the previous Customary Court of Appeal had been legally abrogated, making any newly established court an entirely fresh institution under the law.
“It is a trite principle of law that a new law cannot have retroactive effect,” the statement noted, adding that judicial appointments must follow established procedures based on seniority at the Bench rather than provisions allegedly inserted into legislation through improper means.
The legal body called for an immediate end to what it termed ongoing blackmail and propaganda campaigns against the Chief Judge, warning that continued attacks on the judiciary could undermine public confidence in the administration of justice.
In a strongly worded conclusion, the group issued a caution to those behind the alleged smear efforts, invoking a traditional proverb:
“He who plays with an ant-infested wood should be ready for the invasion of the lizards.”
The controversy comes amid heightened public debate over judicial appointments and governance issues within Edo State, with legal stakeholders increasingly calling for respect for judicial independence and the rule of law.
