The Abia State Judiciary has formally marked the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year with the theme “Reforming Abia State Justice Sector in the Digital Era.”
The opening ceremony, which took place recently in Umuahia, began with a special thanksgiving service at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Chapel, Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Umuahia. It continued with an inspection of the Guard of Honour by the Chief Judge of Abia State, Hon. Justice Lilian Abai, and a special court session held at the High Court Complex, Umuahia.
The event, which had the Governor of Abia State, His Excellency Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, as the Special Guest of Honour, drew judges, magistrates, lawyers, traditional rulers, and top government officials to mark the beginning of another judicial calendar.
In his address, Governor Otti congratulated members of the Bar and Bench on the commencement of the new legal year, commending the judiciary for its steadfastness. He assured that the executive arm of government would continue to partner with and support the judiciary to ensure efficient and timely justice delivery in the state.
“The judiciary, as the third arm of government, has demonstrated that it can perform its duties without interference,” the Governor said.
“I am happy to support you in the area of digital transformation. I have already approved a request from the Honourable Attorney-General to digitise the entire judiciary and move away from the days of carrying files,” he added.
Governor Otti announced that the 17 court halls being constructed by the state government across the local government areas would soon be commissioned. He disclosed that the facilities are digitally enabled, equipped with solar or renewable energy, air-conditioned auditoria, and other modern amenities befitting a 21st-century court.
He further revealed plans to commence the construction of Judicial Complexes in Umuahia and Aba, each with 15 court halls, 1,000-seater auditoria, and high-speed internet connectivity to support ongoing justice reforms in the state.
In her remarks, Hon. Justice Lilian Abai, Chief Judge of Abia State, described the new legal year as “a time to take stock, rededicate ourselves to the noble duty of justice, and reaffirm the judiciary as the lamp that lights the path of fairness, the fortress that protects the law, and the steady hand that upholds democracy.”
Elaborating on the theme, Justice Abai noted that the digital revolution has transformed every aspect of life, including governance. She emphasized that while the law must remain stable, it must also evolve to meet new realities.
“Delays too often cast a shadow over justice, eroding public trust and testing the patience of those who seek fairness,” she said.
“Reform is not only necessary but already within our grasp. With vision, innovation, and commitment, we can restore the speed, fairness, and integrity that justice demands.”
The Chief Judge envisioned an Abia judiciary where lawyers can file cases online, litigants can track their cases remotely, and judges can access files digitally.
“The digital era is here. Let us seize it, shape it, and ensure that in Abia State, justice will always be swift, fair, and within the people’s reach. Justice in Abia will no longer move at the pace of paper but at the speed of trust and technology,” she declared.
Earlier, during the thanksgiving service, the Very Rev. Ernest Onyeukwu, Chaplain of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Chapel, appreciated God for life and health to begin a new legal year. Preaching from Acts 17:16 on the topic “Are You Not Provoked by Our Present-Day Justice System?” he challenged judicial officers to confront the flaws in Nigeria’s justice system and uphold the values of integrity and fairness.
Rev. Onyeukwu commended the judiciary for consistently seeking divine guidance and described honest and upright officers as “men and women of honour who will be distinguished for doing right.” Special prayers were offered for the Chief Judge and her team.
The ceremony also featured goodwill messages from the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Aba Branch, the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria, Abia State Chapter, the Association of Judges of Customary Courts of Nigeria (AJUCCON), and the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
In his remarks, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Ikechukwu Uwana, SAN, described the theme as timely and relevant.
“There is no gainsaying that we must infuse technology into all our activities,” he said.
“Our traditional paper-based system, though venerable, cannot cope with the volume and speed required in modern governance. The digital era compels us to rethink how justice is delivered to lawyers, litigants, investors, and citizens alike.”
He urged all stakeholders to embrace digital reforms not as a novelty but as a means of fulfilling their sacred oath to make justice accessible, impartial, and timely.
“Let us resolve in this legal year to build a justice system worthy of the people’s trust and the Constitution’s mandate, and leave behind not only a reformed Judiciary but also a stronger Abia State where justice is, indeed, the shield of the weak and the guide of the strong,” Uwana added.
