Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, has announced that his administration will, in the coming days, commission 10 newly constructed digital court halls across the state as part of efforts to modernise the judicial system and improve the administration of justice.
The governor also disclosed plans to commence the construction of new court facilities with 1,000-capacity auditoriums in Aba and Umuahia, further signalling his administration’s commitment to strengthening judicial infrastructure in the state.
Otti made the disclosures while speaking at the Annual Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), held at the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, where he joined legal practitioners and other stakeholders in discussing the future of the legal profession and justice delivery in Nigeria.
According to the governor, the 10 digital court halls are equipped with renewable energy systems, digitalised facilities, broadband connectivity and electronic court records designed to enhance efficiency, improve access to information and strengthen judicial administration.
He urged members of the legal profession to embrace technological advancement, continuously update their knowledge and adapt to emerging developments to remain effective in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.
Otti noted that technology was rapidly transforming different sectors of society, stressing that the legal profession must not be left behind in the transition.
Beyond infrastructure and technological development, the governor challenged lawyers to expand their commitment to public interest and ensure that justice remains accessible to vulnerable members of society, particularly those who cannot afford legal representation.
He raised questions about the responsibility of legal practitioners towards indigent citizens and those who lack the resources to defend their rights, urging them to go beyond conventional professional duties in promoting fairness and justice.
The Abia governor further stressed that good governance should not be measured solely by visible infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals and electric buses, but also by the protection of citizens’ rights, respect for the rule of law and the effective administration of justice.
As part of efforts to address concerns surrounding unlawful detention, Otti disclosed that he had directed the state Attorney-General to work with the Chief Judge to ensure that no individual remains in a correctional facility without lawful justification.
He also revealed that he had instructed the Attorney-General to intervene in the cases of two young Abia women, one of whom was reportedly remanded by a Magistrate Court, while the other was being detained in Lagos.
The governor said protecting the rights of citizens and ensuring that justice is served remain important responsibilities of his administration, noting that the justice system must work for everyone, irrespective of their social or economic status.
Otti expressed appreciation to the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, particularly its President, Mrs Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), for choosing Abia State as the host of the annual conference.
He also acknowledged former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), for delivering the keynote address, as well as other distinguished guests and participants whose contributions helped make the gathering successful.
The governor reaffirmed the importance of the legal profession as a critical institution for promoting justice, defending fundamental human rights and advancing societal development.
The planned commissioning of the 10 digital court halls and the proposed construction of additional court facilities in Aba and Umuahia form part of the administration’s broader efforts to strengthen public institutions and improve service delivery across Abia State.
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