Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has announced plans to commission 10 newly constructed courthouses across the state and flag off the construction of two ultra-modern court complexes in Aba and Umuahia next month.
The governor disclosed this during a thanksgiving service marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year of the Abia State Judiciary. The service, held at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Chapel, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, was themed “The Bar, the Bench, and the Administration of Justice: Strengthening the Cords That Bind.”
Otti explained that five of the 10 newly constructed courthouses would be commissioned before the end of 2026, while the remaining five would be commissioned in 2027.
He added that the proposed court complexes in Aba and Umuahia would each feature an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,000 people.
The governor said his administration was committed to providing judicial officers with a conducive working environment to improve the administration of justice across the state.
He noted that the planned projects formed part of the government’s efforts to improve judicial infrastructure and create better working conditions for members of the judiciary.
Otti, however, attributed the delay in completing the Ukwa East courthouse to the contractor’s poor performance, disclosing that the government had cancelled the contract to allow the project to be reassigned to another contractor.
The governor said his administration would continue to invest in infrastructure and institutional development to strengthen public service delivery.
Otti also reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustaining the digitalisation of government processes across the executive, legislature and judiciary.
According to him, digitalisation would improve efficiency, strengthen administrative processes and make public services more accessible to residents.
He assured the judiciary of the government’s continued support for the effective administration of justice while emphasising the importance of respecting its constitutional independence.
The governor stressed that although the three arms of government must cooperate to achieve effective governance, each must operate within its constitutionally defined responsibilities.
He said his administration would maintain clear boundaries in its dealings with the judiciary and legislature.
Otti commended the Abia State Judiciary for its cooperation with his administration, particularly in upholding due process in government activities.
He described due process as a guiding principle of his government and expressed appreciation for the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring that government business was conducted in accordance with established procedures.
The governor also congratulated the judiciary on the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year and expressed optimism about its activities in the coming year.
The thanksgiving service was conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, the Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Ibabuchi.
Those in attendance included members of the Abia State Executive Council, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Lilian Abai, judges, chief registrars, magistrates, chairmen of customary courts and members of the Bar and Bench.
The announced projects are expected to expand judicial infrastructure across Abia State, while the proposed court complexes in Aba and Umuahia are intended to provide additional facilities for judicial operations.
The planned commissioning and construction activities will be important milestones to monitor as the state enters the 2026/2027 legal year.
