Benin — GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, yesterday, said that good governance was impossible without a courageous and strong judiciary.

Speaking at the swearing-in of there new judges of the state High Court, a judge of the state Customary Court of Appeal and a Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General in the Ministry of Justice, Oshiomhole said: "I am speaking the minds of Edo people, when I say that the Edo State judiciary had never been involved in any of those controversies that we read about across the country. It shows your (Chief Judge) leadership style and how that had impacted positively on the conduct of our judicial officers.

"The way you identify young men and women that we have just sworn in as judges is a bold statement about your style and your respect for merit, fairness and justice. I am not responsible for the appointment of these judges. The appointment of judicial officers should not be determined by the vagaries of politics."

The governor commended the individual qualities of the appointed judges and expressed optimism that their appointments will further enrich Edo State judiciary. To the newly appointed Permanent Secretary, Oshoimohole said "we cannot sustain development if we do not have an effective Ministry of Justice."