The Vanguard for the Independence of the Judiciary has fired back at what it calls “false narratives and intrusive attacks” targeting Edo State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa, warning that any assault on the head of the court is an assault on democracy itself.
In a statement released in Benin City on Friday, June 12, 2026, the group said the Chief Judge embodies the rule of law and that undermining him weakens the entire judicial structure of the state.
“Protecting the Chief Judge of Edo State is protecting the Edo State Judiciary against intrusive attacks from outside forces,” the Vanguard declared.
The group stressed that judicial independence is not a personal privilege for judges, but a fundamental right for every Nigerian. It argued that citizens only enjoy justice without fear or favor when courts are insulated from influence by the executive, legislature, or mob opinion.
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“Any attack on the Chief Judge is an attack on the institutional autonomy of the entire judiciary. When the head of the court is intimidated, every magistrate, every registrar, every litigant feels the tremor. A judiciary that cannot self-govern cannot protect the Constitution,” the statement read.
The Vanguard cited Sections 6, 17(3), and 121 of the 1999 Constitution, which enshrine separation of powers, and noted that NJC Guidelines exist to ensure discipline, appointment, and removal of judicial officers follow due process — not media trials or political pressure.
It described adherence to procedure as something that deserves commendation, not condemnation.
“A virile judiciary is a sine qua non for an egalitarian society. Without independent courts, rights exist only on paper. Democracy collapses when the gavel answers to the gallery instead of the law,” the group said, adding that internal self-regulation guided by statutes and NJC rules strengthens public trust more than external interference.
The Vanguard described Hon. Justice Daniel Iyobosa Okungbowa as “a quintessential exemplar of how to be a Chief Judge” — one who upholds procedure, defends institutional integrity, and administers justice without fear.
The statement was signed by Douglas Ogbankwa, Esq., Convener of the Vanguard for the Independence of the Judiciary. Ogbankwa urged media, civil society, and citizens to resist narratives designed to erode confidence in the bench.
“Democracy stands or falls at the courtroom door. Protect the judiciary today, or weep for justice tomorrow,” he warned.
The group concluded by calling on all stakeholders to allow the judiciary’s internal mechanisms to function, insisting that self-correction, not outside pressure, is what keeps the bench credible.
