From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Abia State Government said it was set to commission 15 additional court halls it has built across the state, before the end of the year. Ten of the court halls would be commissioned immediately after the current Legal Year programme, while the remaining five will be commissioned later.
Governor Otti made the disclosure while speaking as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2026/2027 Legal Year Thanksgiving Service, held at the Queen Elizabeth Chapel, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
The governor equally announced that his administration will flag off the construction of the ultra-modern court complexes in Aba and Umuahia in November 2026. Otti revealed that each complex will feature an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,000.
He restated his administration’s commitment to the digitisation of processes across the executive, legislature and judiciary, noting that the initiative was aimed at improving efficiency and making government services more accessible to the people.
Governor Otti described the theme of this Legal Year, “The Bar, the Bench, and the Administration of Justice: Strengthening the Courts that Bind,” as timely and significant, stressing the importance of cooperation among the three arms of government.
Otti emphasised that while the executive, legislature and judiciary must collaborate to achieve good governance, their constitutional boundaries must, however, be respected.
“The judiciary is a very important arm of government. 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 of with us is that we will always maintain those lines,” Governor Otti stated.
He congratulated members of the Bar and the Bench on the commencement of the new Legal Year, commending them for their commitment to due process and the rule of law, and thanked them for their cooperation and support to his administration.
The State Chief Judge, Justice Lilian Abai, in her address, commended Governor Otti for the excellent cooperation existing between the executive and the judiciary, describing it as “a cord worth strengthening.”
Justice Abai disclosed that the Abia State Government has installed solar power systems at the High Courts in Umuahia and Aba, and revealed that in his quest to ensure smooth administration of justice, Governor Otti, on October 19, 2026, signed three critical laws: the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2026; the Abia State Restorative Justice Law No. 8 of 2026; and the Abia State Criminal Law No. 7 of 2026.
She urged members of the Bar to see the judiciary as a shared institution whose integrity must be protected, and called on them to continue to uphold its integrity and work in harmony with the Bench.
The Anglican Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Rt. Rev. Geoffrey Ibeabuchi, had earlier in his sermon, charged the legal practitioners to discharge their duties with sincerity, knowing that they will give account of their stewardship to God.
“As you carry out these legal responsibilities, I encourage you to render your service unto the Lord, because you are chosen by God to carry out this responsibility”.
He urged them to emulate King Solomon who asked God for wisdom and understanding to do what is right, noting that the common man looks up to them for justice.