AKWA IBOM STATE JUDICIARY – HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Akwa Ibom State Judiciary came into existence on Wednesday, September 23, 1987 upon the creation of Akwa Ibom State out of the former Cross River State. At inception, it consisted of Seven Judicial Divisions, Ten Magisterial Districts and Ninty-four District Courts.
There were ten (10) High Court Judges in all with Hon. Justice Mbatidiong Udofia Usoro, (now late) as the Pioneer State Chief Judge. The other Judges were Hon. Justice J.T Akpabio (now late) who was later elevated to Justice of Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Edet Robert Nkop(now late) who became the second State Chief Judge, Hon Justice Effiong D. U. Idiong(now late) (the third Chief Judge), Hon. Justice Eno B. Otu(now late) (who became the fourth Chief Judge), Hon. Justice U. J. Udofia(late), Hon. Justice B. U. Eka (late), Hon. Justice Joseph Esang, Hon. Justice E. I. Nkereuwem (late) Hon. Justice Eno Udo(late) and Hon. Justice O. A. Esin(late). Samuel W. Egbo-Egbo (now a retired Judge of The Federal High Court ) was the Pioneer Chief Registrar.
The pioneer Judicial Divisions were: Uyo, Abak, Etinan, Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Oron and Ikot Abasi. The Ten(10) Magisterial Districts were: Uyo, Ikono, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi, Itu, Abak, Oron,Eket, Etinan and Ukanafun.
Over the years, it became necessary to create additional Judicial Divisions and Magisterial Districts. Between 1987 and 2006, a total of five (5) new Judicial Divisions and Ten(10) new Magisterial Districts were created. Also in 2011,five (5) new magisterial Districts were created.
At present, Akwa Ibom State Judiciary comprises of High Courts with twenty-five (25) High Court Judges deployed in sixteen (16) Judicial Divisions. A Customary Court of Appeal, whose enabling statute has been enacted, is expected to start business very soon. The Judiciary also has fifty (50) Magistrates who serve in twenty-eight (28) Magisterial Districts.
There are also Ninety –Four District Courts located in the various Local Government Areas manned by Ninety-four (94) Chairmen who are legal practitioners and One Hundred and Eighty-eight(188) members.
The Judiciary also has family Courts (High Court and Magisterial Levels), Environmental Sanitation Court, Revenue Court and a Multi-Door Court House with ten(10) Dispute Resolution Officers(DROs) and manned by a Director.
The present Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Ekaete F. Fabian-Obot assumed duties on 30th June, 2021 as the eighth Chief Judge of the State, upon the retirement of his predecessor, Hon. Justice Godwin Abraham.