The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has called for the establishment of a Division of the Court of Appeal in the state to enhance access to justice and reduce the burden on litigants.
The motion was moved on Tuesday by the member representing Oruk Anam State Constituency, Hon. Sampson Idiong, during plenary under Order Three, Rule One of the House Standing Orders.
Idiong, who is also the Deputy Chief Whip of the Assembly, noted that the Court of Appeal is a superior court established under Sections 237 to 248 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and is funded through the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.
He explained that a large number of appeal cases handled by the nearest Court of Appeal in Calabar originate from Akwa Ibom State, creating financial and logistical challenges for litigants and legal practitioners.
According to him, poor road conditions, insecurity, and the high cost of transportation and accommodation have made it difficult for many residents, lawyers, politicians, and government officials to pursue legitimate appeals.
The lawmaker argued that establishing a Court of Appeal Division in Akwa Ibom would improve access to justice while also delivering economic, welfare, and security benefits to residents.
He urged the state government, through the Ministry of Justice, to engage the National Judicial Council and the President of the Court of Appeal by providing the necessary infrastructure required for approval of the proposed division.
Idiong further recommended that the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights, and Public Petitions convey the resolution to the Akwa Ibom Caucus in the National Assembly for legislative support.
The motion was seconded by the member representing Oron/Udung Uko State Constituency, Mrs. Kenim Onofiok, and received the backing of other lawmakers. Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, subsequently referred the matter to the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights, and Public Petitions for further consideration.
