The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Edo State, Dr. Samson Osagie, has firmly denied allegations of judicial interference related to the ongoing governorship election appeal at the Supreme Court.
Speaking during the June monthly meeting of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Benin Branch, held at the Bar House in Benin City, Dr. Osagie addressed recent claims suggesting he met with a Supreme Court Justice to influence the outcome of the election litigation.
Describing the allegations as baseless, Osagie emphasised the importance of integrity within the legal profession and cautioned against the misuse of social media by legal practitioners.
The Attorney General noted that the NBA meeting provided his first official platform to address the Lion Bar since he was called to the Nigerian Bar over three decades ago.
“This opportunity is remarkable in many respects. I am doing so as the Chief Law Officer of our dear State,” he said, reflecting on his legal journey since joining the NBA Benin Branch in 1996.
Commending the NBA Benin Branch for its steadfast commitment to legal reforms and professional advancement, Osagie remarked, “The Lion Bar has remained a trailblazer in peaceful transitions and implementation of the association’s policies.”
Reflecting on the state’s dedication to upholding justice, Osagie said, “This government under Sen. Monday Okpebholo is determined to uphold the rule of law but recognises that such rights must be exercised within the bounds of the law.”
Osagie directly addressed allegations made by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, who claimed on social media that Osagie and a Supreme Court Justice were spotted leaving the Protea Hotel in Benin on June 10, 2025.
He condemned the allegation as a “wicked, malicious, and unpatriotic vitriolic attack,” firmly stating that “there was no meeting whatsoever with any judicial officer concerning the pending appeal.”
Referring to a clarifying statement released by the Supreme Court, Osagie explained that the Justice mentioned had received official permission to attend a private social event in Benin City, which involved a former President of the African Bar Association.
“Assuming but not conceding that I was in the said facility how does that translate to meeting with the jurist?” he asked rhetorically.
Describing the video evidence shared by associates of Odinkalu as both inconclusive and defamatory, Osagie stated: “There is nowhere my image was shown, such an attempt to undermine our joint image and professional standing is a conduct unbecoming of a lawyer of that status.”
He called on legal professionals to refrain from weaponizing social media to damage reputations, stressing that criticism should be grounded in “verifiable and unimpeachable facts.”
SaharaReporters previously reported that Justice Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court was reportedly seen on Thursday evening at the Protea Hotel in Benin City, Edo State, in the company of the Edo State Attorney General, Hon. Samson Osagie.
According to a credible source, the pair were spotted leaving the hotel and were reportedly en route to meet Governor Monday Okpebholo, raising concerns over potential backchannel lobbying ahead of the Supreme Court hearing in the ongoing legal challenge to the governor’s election.
According to the source, Justice Okoro is actively lobbying to be appointed chairman of the Supreme Court panel expected to hear the appeal challenging Governor Okpebholo’s electoral victory.
“Justice Okoro is lobbying to be on the Supreme Court panel to hear the case challenging Governor Okpebholo’s election,” the source said.
“He is lobbying to be the chairman of the Supreme Court appeal panel.”
The source insisted that the meeting between the Attorney General and the apex court justice took place late Thursday night and was facilitated to establish direct contact with the governor.
A video obtained by SaharaReporters appears to show Justice Okoro in the hotel lobby approaching the reception desk, though the footage is not conclusive due to distance and image quality.
Justice Okoro currently sits on Nigeria’s Supreme Court and has presided over numerous high-profile political and electoral matters.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, filed a petition challenging the election of Governor Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who secured 247,274 votes.
The Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the PDP’s petition on April 2, 2025, ruling that the party failed to prove allegations of over-voting and electoral non-compliance.
The tribunal held that the petitioners did not present sufficient evidence, including polling unit agents and presiding officers, to substantiate their claims.
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