The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Fabian Obot, has disclosed that the state judiciary generated N437,451,035.35 in revenue during the 2025/2026 Legal Year, significantly surpassing its budgetary revenue estimate of N97.5 million.
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Justice Obot made the disclosure in Uyo while formally declaring the 2026/2027 Legal Year open, giving an account of the judiciary’s finances, administrative reforms, infrastructure needs and efforts to improve the administration of justice in the state.
The revenue figure represents more than four times the judiciary’s budgetary estimate, exceeding the projection by approximately N339.95 million.
The Chief Judge also reported strong performance across the courts, saying returns for the legal year exceeded 90 per cent.
Beyond revenue performance, Justice Obot said the Akwa Ibom State Judicial Service Commission now has its own Regulations and Scheme of Service, prepared in compliance with directives from the Federal Judicial Service Commission under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
According to her, the documents were prepared by a committee constituted for that purpose and are now awaiting the endorsement of Governor Umo Eno.
She further disclosed that the Judicial Service Commission Board is expected to be inaugurated soon following the governor’s approval of the nominated members. The nominees are presently awaiting their formal swearing-in.
Justice Obot, however, drew attention to what she described as a longstanding accommodation problem facing the Commission.
She appealed for the provision of a permanent Secretariat for the Judicial Service Commission, noting that the body has operated from a rented facility for about 39 years and that the building has now become dilapidated.
On the judiciary’s capital funding, the Chief Judge said the state government released N250 million in September 2025 for capital projects under the 2025 budget, while another N250 million was released in April 2026 for projects under the 2026 capital budget.
She nevertheless disclosed that the judiciary was still awaiting funds to settle liabilities arising from the second, third and fourth quarters of 2026.
Justice Obot said some specific funding requests had, however, received government approval.
According to her, funds were provided for robe allowances for judges and the Chief Registrar, Easter packages for judicial officers and the Chief Registrar, as well as the installation of an Artificial Intelligence recording system in all High Courts across Akwa Ibom State.
The introduction of the AI recording system forms part of measures aimed at improving court proceedings and modernising judicial administration in the state.
Justice Obot thanked Governor Umo Eno for providing funding for training programmes and projects undertaken by the judiciary during the legal year.
She also acknowledged the support of senior members of the legal profession, chairmen and members of the various branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in the state.
The Chief Judge said continued cooperation between the Bar and the Bench remained essential to building an effective justice system, particularly in reducing delays in the determination of cases.
She therefore urged lawyers to continue working closely with the judiciary to ensure the speedy dispensation of justice across Akwa Ibom State as the courts begin the 2026/2027 Legal Year.
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