Esther Edigin
Esther Edigin is a Nigerian jurist who served as the Chief Judge of Edo State from 22 November 2019 to 17 May 2021. She was succeeded by Joe Acha as Acting Chief Judge on 19 May 2021 before his confirmation as substantive Chief Judge on 6 October 2021.
Early life and education
Edigin was born on 17 May 1956, into the family of Mr. Emmanuel Egiebor Eribo of Idunogba, Orhionmwon Local Government Area. She attended St. Mathias Primary School, Okesuna, Lagos, followed by A.D.R.A.O. International School and Corona School, Victoria Island, Lagos, where she earned her Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1968. She attended Federal Government College, Warri and proceeded to Idia College, Benin City, for her higher school certificate.In 1975, she was admitted to the University of Lagos, where she studied law. Upon graduation, she was called to the Nigerian Bar on 17 July 1979, and subsequently completed her National Youth Service Corps posting at the Public Complaints Commission, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Career
Edigin began her legal career in private practice, working with F.O. Akinrele & Co. in Lagos and briefly with Buba Aliyu & Co. in Kano State. Leveraging her experience, she transitioned into the judiciary as a Magistrate Grade I in Kano State. By 1988, she had advanced to Chief Magistrate Grade II. In September 1989, she joined the Bendel State Judiciary as Chief Magistrate Grade II, earning promotion to Chief Magistrate Grade I in 1993.In 1998, she served on Election Petition Tribunals for both the National Assembly and the State Legislative House in Enugu State, and in 1999, for the governorship elections in Bayelsa State. That same year, she was appointed Deputy Chief Registrar and later Chief Registrar of the Edo State High Court.
Her judicial trajectory continued upward when she was appointed a High Court Judge in 2001, serving across multiple judicial divisions in Edo State.