Alex Otti Set To Commission 10 New Courthouses In Abia, Boost Justice Delivery

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has announced plans to commission 10 new courthouses and commence the construction of ultra-modern court complexes in Aba and Umuahia as part of efforts to strengthen judicial infrastructure across the state.

According to Ireporter Online, the governor made the announcement on October 20 during a thanksgiving service marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year of the Abia State Judiciary at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Chapel, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia.

Otti disclosed that five of the newly constructed courthouses would be commissioned before the end of 2026, while the remaining five were expected to be completed early in 2027.

He added that the proposed court complexes in Aba and Umuahia would feature auditoriums with seating capacities of 1,000 people each, highlighting his administration’s commitment to improving judicial facilities and creating a more conducive working environment for judicial officers.

The governor reaffirmed that strengthening the judiciary remained a priority, stressing that adequate infrastructure was essential to improving the administration of justice and enhancing the efficiency of the state’s judicial system.

On the delayed Ukwa East courthouse project, Otti attributed the setback to the contractor’s unsatisfactory performance. He disclosed that the state government had decided to terminate the existing contract and engage another contractor to ensure the project was completed.

The governor also pledged to accelerate the digitisation of government operations across the executive, legislature and judiciary, noting that technology would help improve efficiency, streamline administrative processes and make public services more accessible to residents.

Otti described the judiciary as an indispensable arm of government, emphasising that effective governance required cooperation among the three arms while maintaining clear constitutional boundaries.

He assured judicial officers of his administration’s continued support for the justice system, while reaffirming his commitment to respecting the independence of the judiciary.

The governor further commended the Abia State Judiciary for its commitment to due process, noting that adherence to established procedures remained essential to responsible governance and institutional accountability.

He congratulated judicial officers on the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year and expressed optimism that the new legal year would record meaningful progress in the administration of justice across the state.