Otti to Commission New Courthouses, Set to Flag-Off Construction Of Ultra Modern Court Complexes

By Ezechukwu Adimoha

The Governor Dr Alex Otti says he will next month flag off the construction of 2 ultra-modern court complexes in Aba and Umuahia as well as commission 10 newly built courthouses across the state.

Governor Otti who made the announcement during a Thanksgiving Service held at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Chapel, Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia, to mark the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year of the Abia State Judiciary on the theme: “The Bar, The Bench, and The Administration of Justice, Strengthening The cords That Binds”.

The Governor while disclosing that five out of the 10 courthouses would be commissioned before the end of the year, with the remaining five to be commissioned next year,said each of the proposed court complexes would feature an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,000 people.

“For us, like I also said the other day, where you operate from and the environment that you see is very important to this government.

“And that is why we took the principle decision to change your environment. By the time you finish the program for this year, the legal year, and return, we should be commissioning additional 10 new courthouses that we have built.

The Governor while noting that his administration is committed to providing judicial officers with a conducive working environment, attributed the delay in the completion of the Ukwa East courthouse to the contractor’s poor performance as the government has cancelled the contract for re-awarding to a new contractor.

Governor Otti further disclosed that his administration would sustain the digitalisation of government processes across the executive, legislature and judiciary to improve efficiency and make public services more accessible to citizens, assuring that his administration would continue to provide the necessary support for the effective administration of justice while respecting its constitutional independence as a critical arm of government.

Governor Otti stressed that cooperation among the three arms of government must not undermine their respective constitutional responsibilities, adding that his administration would maintain clear boundaries in its dealings with the judiciary and legislature.

“The judiciary is a very important part of government. And there is no way the executive or the legislature can work without the judiciary. But then the lines are also very clear.

“And one thing you can be sure with us is that we will always maintain those lines”, the Governor said.

He commended the judiciary for its cooperation with his administration, particularly in upholding due process, noting that both shared a commitment to ensuring that government business was conducted properly.

“This government is a stickler for due process, and we can say that we have got maximum support from you, because you’re also a stickler for due process the Governor said.

He congratulated the Abia State Judiciary on the commencement of their 2026/2027 Legal Year and expressed optimism that the new legal year would be successful.

The Thanksgiving service conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, The Rt Rev. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi was attended by the Members of the state executive Council, the Chief judge Justice Lilian Abai and judges of the Abia State Judiciary, Chief registrars, Magistrates, Chairmen of Customary Courts, members of the Bar and Bench.