A’Ibom CJ appeals for regular funds release to judiciary

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Chief Judge (CJ) of Akwa Ibom, Justice Ekaete Obot, has appeal to Gov. Umo Eno for the regular release of funds to the Judiciary to enhance the effective dispensation of justice

Obot appealed in her address on Monday during the opening of the 2024/2025 legal year at the judiciary headquarters in Uyo.

The CJ mentioned that the judiciary in the state had been grappling with debt issues, due to the non-release of funds throughout last year.

“We, therefore, plead with His Excellency for regular release of funds to maintain our facilities all over the state for optimal performances of the Judges, Magistrates, and Chairmen of District Courts and district funds to service debt liabilities,” Obot said.

Obot in her speech added that the judiciary was inadequately staffed as the recruitment to the state judiciary was done last in 2012.

She said that to address the shortage of staff, the judiciary resulted in assigning one staff to cover the schedule of two and sometimes three-person duties.

She disclosed that within the last two years, an unprecedented number of 316 staff have retired from the state judiciary without replacement.

“When retirement goes on for many years without regular replacement, many skills and competencies are lost.

“We therefore trust that in this new legal year, our Governor will grant us leave to recruit more staff,” she said.

The chief judge said that in the course of her visit to correctional facilities last year, she discovered that inmates lacked basic education.

Obot said that based on the above, she suggested that proper schools for adult education be set within correctional centres to ensure inmates basic primary and secondary education and skills acquisition to reform them.

The CJ urged the Bar to continue to partner with the judiciary in the state to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

In his remarks, Gov Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, who spoke during the Church service at Qua Iboe Church assured the judiciary of state government cooperation to enhance quick dispensation of justice.

Eno assured the judiciary of regular collaboration to address all issues concerning them in line with laid down procedures.

“I have had a very good working relationship with the judiciary led by Justice Ekaete Obot, especially the files re-examination, the reforms and the attempt to decongest prisons.

“We are ready to collaborate with the judiciary to ensure that issues bothering on judiciary are addressed in line with laid down procedures,” he said.

The governor promised to build judiciary quarters for serving Judges within the life span of his administration.

He thanked the judges and magistrates for their cooperation, which has engendered the peace enjoyed in the state.