Abia State governor, Alex Otti, has announced plans to commission 10 newly constructed courthouses and begin the development of ultra-modern court complexes in Aba and Umuahia as part of efforts to strengthen judicial infrastructure.
Otti disclosed this on Tuesday, October 20, during a thanksgiving service to mark the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year of the Abia State Judiciary. The event was held at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Chapel, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.
The governor explained that five of the new courthouses would be commissioned before the end of 2026, while the remaining five were expected to be ready early in 2027.
He added that the planned court complexes in Aba and Umuahia would each feature an auditorium with a seating capacity of 1,000 people.
“By the time you finish the programme for this year, the legal year, and return, we should be commissioning an additional 10 new courthouses that we have built,” Otti said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to providing judicial officers with a conducive working environment, describing improved court facilities as an important priority for the government.
Addressing the delay in completing the courthouse project in Ukwa East, Otti blamed the contractor’s poor performance, saying that the government has decided to terminate the contract.
He said a new contractor would be appointed to ensure the completion of the project.
Otti also pledged to intensify the digitisation of government operations across the executive, legislature and judiciary, explaining that the initiative was aimed at improving efficiency and making public services more accessible to residents.
Describing the judiciary as an indispensable arm of government, the governor assured judicial officers that his administration would continue to support the effective administration of justice while respecting the judiciary’s constitutional independence.
“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,” he said.
Otti commended the judiciary for supporting his administration’s emphasis on due process, noting that government institutions shared the responsibility of ensuring that official activities complied with established procedures.
He congratulated the Abia State Judiciary on the commencement of the new legal year and expressed optimism that it would be successful.