Akwa Ibom Judiciary generated N437m for 2025/2026 legal year- Chief Judge

The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Fabian Obot, said the judiciary has generated a total of N437,451,035.35 in the 2025/2026 legal year as revenue, exceeding the N97.5m budgetary estimate.

Justice Obot, who disclosed this in Uyo on Tuesday while declaring the 2026/2027 Legal Year open, reported that the returns for the year exceeded 90 per cent across all courts.

She also disclosed that the State Judicial Service Commission now has its Regulations and Scheme of Service, in line with the directives of the Federal Judicial Service Commission, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

According to her, the document was prepared by a committee set up by the Chief Judge and is awaiting the endorsement of Governor Umo Eno.

Justice Obot further disclosed that the Judicial Service Commission Board would soon be inaugurated, following the Governor’s approval of the nomination of its members, who are awaiting swearing-in.

She, however, emphasised the need for the provision of a Secretariat for the Judicial Service Commission, noting that the Commission had spent 39 years operating from a rented facility which had now become dilapidated.

The Chief Judge thanked Governor Umo Eno for making funds available for the numerous training programmes and projects executed by the Judiciary during the Legal Year and the elders of the Bar, Chairmen and members of the various branches of the Nigerian Bar Association for their support.

On funding, Justice Obot disclosed that while N250 million was released in September 2025 for 2025 capital projects, another N250 million was also released in April 2026 for 2026 capital projects.

The Chief Judge stated that the Judiciary was yet to receive funds for the settlement of liabilities for the second, third and fourth quarters of 2026. She, however, noted that the Judiciary had received, upon application, funds for robe allowance for Judges and the Chief Registrar, Easter packages for Judicial Officers and the Chief Registrar, as well as funds for the installation of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Recording System in all the High Courts in Akwa Ibom State.

She, therefore urged the Bar to continue to partner with the Bench towards ensuring the speedy dispensation of justice in the State.