‘It’s Zero Tolerance, for Kidnapping in Edo’

Edo State goes with the sobriquet ‘Heartbeat of the Nation’ for several reasons. Its central location, multiculturalism, rich ancient traditions and many more. But, recent developments in the State haven’t been too pleasant, especially with regard to heightened violent criminal acts, kidnappings, terrorism, human trafficking and other vices. Worrisome as these are, the Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Roland Otaru, SAN is quite optimistic that these challenges are surmountable. In a chat with Onikepo Braithwaite and Jude Igbanoi last week, he spoke of his plans to strengthen the rule of law in his State, update and codify the laws of Edo State, ensure better justice delivery for the Edo people, amongst other goals

You were recently appointed as the Attorney-General of Edo State. Kindly, give us a brief overview of the agenda that you have set for yourself and your Ministry, in terms of improving overall justice delivery in your State.

Upon my appointment as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, my mandate is clear, to strengthen the rule of law, ensure quick justice delivery, protect citizens’ rights, and update our entire justice system to reflect today’s realities. My focus is justice that ordinary Edo citizens can feel and benefit from, not just justice written in books.

We are re-engineering prosecution, enhancing access to legal aid, using both conventional means and technology for case management, protocol, and ensuring that the government exercises power within the bounds of the law and fairness. Justice must not be delayed, denied, or priced beyond the poor.

Have you embarked on law reform, codifying and updating Edo State laws, or has this already been done? In this era of digitisation and Artificial Intelligence, how up to date is the Edo State Ministry of Justice?

The Edo State Law Reform Commission Chairman, Donald Osikhena-Boih, has received the proper mandate to review, update, and codify all existing laws of the State, many of which are outdated or inconsistent with today’s realities.

The work is in progress and currently includes: Digital compilation of Edo State laws.

They have carried out comparative reviews using models from Lagos, Kano, Enugu and others (already visited). Harmonisation of criminal, civil, revenue and customary law frameworks.

His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo is very supportive of this endeavour. I have also started the process of ensuring that the library in the Ministry of Justice, is revamped and regenerated. The library in the Ministry of Justice has been comatose. We have also embarked on the need to have Edo State law reports. The work is in this aspect, is in progress.

Removal of obsolete laws and introduction of modern regulations in ICT, digital economy, gender rights, security cooperation and land administration.

This reform will birth a new, modern legal code for Edo State.

What are your views on USA designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern? Do you agree that there are grounds for such a designation? If you do not agree, kindly, share your views, particularly on the issue of Christian genocide

Nigeria values its long-standing relationship with the United States, and appreciates its global advocacy for human rights. However, national assessment must always be based on constitutional facts, not isolated incidents.

Section 38 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has continued to uphold this guarantee by protecting churches, mosques, and traditional places of worship without discrimination.

Criminal attacks, whether against Christians or Muslims, are not religious policies of the Nigerian State, they are acts of terrorism committed by individuals and must be treated as crimes against humanity. What Nigeria requires is partnership to defeat terrorism, not classification that undermines ongoing reforms.

Nigeria’s position is therefore, clear:

• We welcome global collaboration, but, national sovereignty and constitutional progress must be respected.

• Peace grows through mutual support, not negative labelling.

Nigeria should be defined, not by the crimes of a few violent offenders, but by the nation’s commitment to justice, unity, and peaceful coexistence under a responsible government.

Edo State has had its fair share of crimes, particularly as it borders Kogi, Ondo and Delta State. What  challenges does this pose to your Ministry, in terms of prosecuting violent crimes?

Edo State has held strategic discussions and inter-governmental meetings with neighbouring States, to address land boundary concerns. Expert survey reports are in progress, and the National Boundary Commission has been involved. Let it be clearly stated: no land belonging to Edo will ever be ceded to anyone.

We will resolve disputes peacefully, legally, and with firm protection of our ancestral boundaries.

Nigerians haven’t heard much about the Vigilante killing of the Uromi 16, Northern Hunters who were on their way from Port Harcourt to Kano for  Eid earlier this year. Have the perpetrators been apprehended and charged to court?

Some tragic incidents happened before my tenure, but justice does not expire with political transitions. Investigations have continued, and prosecution is ongoing.

We must allow the law to take its full course without bias, or public trial by emotions. The rule of law requires that guilt is proven, not assumed, and that victims receive justice without public sensationalism that may jeopardise the process.

Kidnapping and terrorism appears to be significantly high in Edo State. Areas such as Okpella have become famous for kidnapping. What is your State Government doing to battle this evil? Many traditional rulers have been sacked or suspended by the Governor. Why? Is it because they are not doing enough to help the Government curb the criminality?

Edo State is taking a multi-layered security approach, including partnerships with Federal agencies, strengthening community policing, deployment of technology to track criminal networks and funding joint security operations within border communities.

Concerning the suspended traditional rulers, their cases were not based on vendetta. They were subjects of verified petitions and community complaints. Traditional institutions must not be politicised; they safeguard culture and lives.

The last administration of Governor Obaseki intentionally imposed some traditional rulers, despite the pending of their cases in the law courts.

He did this brazenly, to spite the court. A good example here is the revocation of the appointment of Lukeman Odamah who was imposed on Ikpeshi/Egbigere by Governor Obaseki, despite the case he filed in court since 2012.

The said Lukeman Odamah is now facing criminal charges of armed robbery, terrorism and criminal acts at the Auchi High court. Evidence by witnesses abound, that the said Lukeman Odamah on the 17th day of June, 2025 with his Co-conspirators injected people with raw acid. Can such a person be left as a ruler? The step taken by the Governor of Edo State, is highly commendable.

The suspension was therefore, a disciplinary measure to protect the sanctity of our traditional system, not a political fight.

What are your views on State Police? Will it solve the insecurity problem in the country, if each State has more control over its security?

From a legal standpoint, State policing is constitutional when done to strengthen, not replace, Federal security powers. It increases accountability, local intelligence, and faster rescue response. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown support for dialogue on the matter, and Edo State stands ready to work with the Federal Government towards a model that protects citizens.

Over the years, Edo  State has been cast in a negative light, as having the highest number of trafficked persons in Nigeria. Many Edo daughters are in Italy, France, Spain and even Libya, engaged in prostitution. What plans, under the new Governor, does the Edo State Government have, to put in place measures to curb this trend and ensure that these girls are brought back home safely? Is there any rehabilitation/educational/skills acquisition programme for them, so that they can be reintegrated into society and earn a decent living?

Human trafficking is a painful stain, on our collective conscience. The Edo State Government is intensifying rescue, repatriation, and reintegration measures with a programme that includes; Rehabilitation centres, psychological support, vocational skills, business grants and legal actions against traffickers, sponsors, and exploiters.

No Edo child should ever be traded for survival. This Government is committed to giving every returnee, a dignified path to success at home.

The Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) has recently brought positive attention to Edo State. Your Ministry is said to be closely involved in this initiative, though it is said that MOWAA is a private initiative financed predominantly by non-government funds, including foreign resources. Kindly, shed some light on MOWAA. However, there appears to have been an incident that occurred the day foreign private investors were being hosted at the Museum that shed some negative light on Edo State, where the foreigners attending the event had to flee to safety. The optics were bad, and many argued that what transpired that day doesn’t augur well for FDI in Nigeria. Kindly, comment on this

The Edo State Museum of West African Art (EMOWAA) holds great potential for cultural preservation, tourism, education, and economic development in Edo State. However, the integrity of such a heritage institution must reflect community values, financial transparency, and respect for the historical authority of His Royal Majesty, the Oba of Benin Kingdom.

For this reason, the Edo State Government constituted a Committee, of which I am a member to review issues relating to the project’s cost structure, the change of name, ownership transparency, and alignment with traditional interests. As a member of the Committee, I shall not go into investigative specifics. That would be professionally inappropriate.

Our focus is simple:

• Cultural development must respect the custodians of culture.

• Public projects must be accountable to the people.

EMOWAA will succeed when it reflects both global standards, and the dignity of the Benin heritage. Accountability must go hand-in-hand with progress.

The Legal Practitioners Bill 2025 before the National Assembly provides for a compulsory 2-year pupillage for new wigs after 6 years in the school system, before they will be qualified to practice as Lawyers  properly so-called. Do you subscribe to this provision in the Bill?

The Legal Practitioners Bill, seeks to improve the quality of professional training for Lawyers in Nigeria. Strengthening law school standards, including a possible extension of training duration, supports the Federal Government’s commitment to excellence under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Strong nations are built on strong institutions, and the legal profession is central to justice delivery. If higher training requirements will produce Lawyers who are globally competent, ethically grounded, and professionally responsible, then supporting this Bill is not only necessary, it is patriotic.

Quality justice begins with quality legal education.

Edo is well known for its multiculturalism and is steeped in traditions. How does this impact on justice administration, especially at the level of Customary Law and Courts?

Edo is a cradle of civilisation, where culture is not just history, but law. Our justice system respects diversity: Customary law, when not contrary to equity, good conscience, and the Constitution, remains a valid tool of justice.

We are enriching the courts with cultural jurisprudence that reflects who we are, people of dignity, fairness, and communal responsibility. A society that respects culture strengthens justice, because it protects both identity and rights.

Thank you, Honourable Attorney-General.