Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced plans to commission 10 newly constructed digital court halls across the state, as part of efforts to modernise judicial infrastructure and improve justice delivery.
Otti made the announcement on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, while speaking at the Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia.
The governor urged legal practitioners across the country to embrace technological advancements and continuously update their professional knowledge to remain relevant in an increasingly digital world.
He described technology as an unavoidable reality, stressing that lawyers must prepare for emerging developments rather than resist them.
According to him, the 10 court halls scheduled for commissioning in the coming days have been equipped with renewable energy systems, digital infrastructure, broadband internet connectivity and electronic court records to enhance judicial operations.
Otti explained that the facilities were designed to reduce dependence on traditional paper-based processes and enable legal practitioners and judicial officers to access court records and other necessary documents electronically.
He also disclosed plans to flag off the construction of additional court facilities with 1,000-capacity auditoriums in Aba and Umuahia, assuring that the proposed projects would have independent renewable energy systems.
Beyond infrastructure, the governor challenged lawyers to extend their professional responsibilities beyond financial interests by providing legal assistance to indigent citizens and vulnerable members of society who cannot afford legal services.
He maintained that the success of the NBA-SPIDEL conference should be measured by how its discussions translate into improved access to justice, protection of fundamental rights and better living conditions for ordinary Nigerians.
Highlighting his administration’s commitment to the rule of law, Otti recounted that shortly after assuming office, he discovered cases of individuals allegedly being held in correctional facilities without sufficient legal justification.
He said he subsequently directed the state Attorney-General to work with the Chief Judge to ensure that no individual remained in custody without lawful grounds.
The governor also disclosed his intervention in the case of a young female content creator who was reportedly remanded by a Magistrate Court until February 2027 over issues arising from online content.
According to him, he directed the Attorney-General to take necessary steps towards securing her release while also engaging those who felt offended by her actions.
Otti further revealed that he had requested the state Attorney-General to intervene in the case of another Abia woman detained in Lagos over allegations relating to cyberbullying, adding that he was later informed that she had been granted bail.
He said the cases underscored the importance of public-interest legal practice and the responsibility of lawyers to defend citizens whose financial circumstances limit their access to justice.
The governor also highlighted developments in the state’s transportation and electricity sectors, disclosing that Abia currently had 40 electric buses, with another 30 reportedly loaded for delivery.
He expressed optimism that the state would have 70 electric buses operating across its communities before the end of 2026, attributing the initiative to improvements in electricity supply and efforts to establish an independent power system outside the national grid.
Earlier, the keynote speaker and former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, urged lawyers to move beyond the traditional interpretation of the law and embrace their roles as social engineers and agents of national development.
Osinbajo stressed the importance of people-centred advocacy that promotes access to justice, employment opportunities, healthcare, education and the protection of vulnerable groups.
He noted that the success of democracy should not be measured solely by elections and government policies but also by its ability to improve the living conditions of ordinary citizens.
The former vice president also encouraged legal practitioners to develop competencies in technology, negotiation, conflict resolution and institutional management, while exercising caution in verifying information generated through artificial intelligence.
In her opening address, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, called on lawyers to uphold justice, accountability and public interest in the discharge of their professional duties.
She emphasised that public interest advocacy must prioritise the welfare of ordinary citizens, particularly vulnerable individuals who lack adequate access to legal representation.
Speaking on the conference theme, “In Public Interest: Advancing Justice, Democracy, and Development,” she stressed that justice must guarantee effective remedies for victims of wrongdoing, while democracy and development should translate into meaningful opportunities and improved living conditions.
She also condemned political violence across the country and called for credible investigations and prosecution of individuals responsible for attacks on citizens participating in lawful political activities.
The NBA President appreciated Governor Otti for supporting and hosting the 2026 NBA-SPIDEL Annual Conference in Abia State.
The event featured contributions from several prominent personalities, including Professor Pat Utomi and Dr. Sam Amadi, while Justice Obisike Orji led a panel of discussants.
The conference was attended by legal practitioners, government officials and other stakeholders in the justice sector, with presentations of plaques made in recognition of individuals who contributed to the success of the event.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
