The Nigerian Bar Association, Ikom Branch, and stakeholders in Cross River State have renovated and commissioned High Court 2, Ikom, through a crowdfunding initiative, following concerns over the poor state of judicial infrastructure in the state.
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The project, which cost over ₦18 million, was funded through contributions from lawyers, business owners, communities, private individuals and other well-meaning members of the public.
The renovated court was commissioned in Ikom, Central Cross River State, by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Akon Bassey Ikpeme.
Stakeholders at the commissioning ceremony decried what they described as the complete neglect of judicial infrastructure across the state, saying the Ikom legal community had taken the initiative because repeated complaints over the poor condition of court facilities had not received adequate government attention.
The renovation covered the re-roofing of the court building, installation of new ceilings, modern glass windows, tiles, furniture, solar power system, public address system, painting and rehabilitation of the judge’s chambers.
Speaking during the inspection and commissioning of the project, Justice Ikpeme commended the NBA Ikom Branch for its initiative and resilience.
“As I listened to the Ikom chairman, I noticed God just brought me at the right time. What I have seen is wonderful. The last time I came here, I was a bit depressed, but today the story is different,” she said.
“I thank you for having the mind to go ahead to get contributions that were put to good use. I give you kudos for that.”
The Chief Judge said NBA Ikom had set a pace for the state, but urged the branch and the community to ensure that the renovated facility is properly protected.
“Ikom NBA has set a pace for the state. Having put in this edifice, you must make it work. I don’t want to hear that thieves broke in. We’ll try to get approval to get some security men to secure this place. Congratulations once again and God bless you,” she added.
She also commended the Chairman of Ikom Local Government Area for supporting the project.
Explaining the reason for the intervention, the Chairman of NBA Ikom Branch, Tah Edwardson Offre, Esq., said lawyers in the branch taxed themselves and also reached out to senior lawyers and members of the public to raise funds for the renovation.
He said the branch had repeatedly lamented the poor condition of court facilities in the area, including High Court 2, Ikom, Magistrate Courts 1 and 2 in Ikom, and the Okundi Magistrate Court, whose roof was reportedly blown away by a rainstorm over 15 years ago.
Offre also recalled that last year, a large tree fell and destroyed the Magistrate Courts 2 and 3 hall in Ikom, forcing the presiding magistrates to relocate to an old mud building with cracked walls and damaged ceilings.
According to him, the situation worsened when the Magistrate Court 1 building was gutted by fire on April 23, 2026, following an incident allegedly caused by an unknown arsonist.
“Early this year, with the permission of my Lord, the Honourable Chief Judge, the Presiding Judge of High Court 2, Ikom, Hon. Justice Emmanuel Ubua, in collaboration with the NBA Ikom Judicial Division, taxed themselves and also sought support from well-meaning members of the public and senior lawyers to raise funds for the renovation of the High Court 2 hall, Ikom, which project has cost over ₦18,000,000,” Offre said.
He said the works included re-roofing, ceiling replacement, installation of glass windows, tiling of the court hall, furnishing of the court hall and judge’s chambers, installation of a modern public address system and provision of solar panels for regular power supply.
Also speaking, Justice Edet Kufre of Court 1 applauded the initiative, saying the quality of work was evident.
“I have an idea of what it is like to convince people to contribute resources to execute a project like this. I know what it is. The building speaks for itself. It is such a nice job,” he said.
The Presiding Judge of High Court 2, Ikom, Justice Emmanuel Ubua, also thanked the Chief Judge for approving the project, saying the state of the facility before the renovation was not suitable for the administration of justice.
“My Lord the CJ, our infrastructure in Ikom was one that we could not use to dispense justice. When I sought approval to manage this project, she did not hesitate,” he said.
He also thanked NBA Ikom and the wider Ikom community for supporting the project, noting that a court hall should be a dignified sanctuary of justice.
“The court hall is supposed to be a sanctuary, a dignified place with assurance of justice, but what we met here was terrible. The walls were falling apart, and the roof was leaking all over,” he said.
Justice Ubua said the successful renovation should serve as a challenge to the government that the rehabilitation of judicial infrastructure is possible and necessary.
Stakeholders said the Ikom project has opened a new conversation on the urgent need for government intervention in court infrastructure across Cross River State.
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