Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to judicial autonomy and the welfare of judicial officers, aimed at strengthening justice delivery in the state.
The governor made the pledge on Friday during the grand finale of the 2025/2026 Legal Year celebration held at the Judicial Complex, Abakaliki.
Governor Nwifuru said his administration was making concrete arrangements to rehabilitate and construct court buildings across the state, including both High Courts and Customary Courts, to ensure judicial officers operate in a conducive and dignified environment.
“Our goal is to ensure that every judicial officer sits in a conducive, dignified environment befitting the sacred duty they perform. We will do this before we leave office in 2031 by God’s special grace,” he stated.
The governor further disclosed plans to introduce an electronic justice system (e-justice) in the state to modernize court processes and reduce the delay in justice delivery.
“I will discuss with the Chief Judge of our dear great state to see how we can move to the global trend towards e-justice to reduce the cost of carrying files up and down, with some eaten by rats and cockroaches. By God’s grace and mercy, we will commence the digitization of our court records and proceedings,” Nwifuru added.
He emphasized that the reforms would enhance transparency, reduce case congestion, and make justice delivery more efficient.
Earlier in his address, the Chief Judge of Ebonyi State, Hon. Justice Elvis Ngene, described Governor Nwifuru as a judiciary-friendly leader whose administration has continued to support the judicial arm to effectively discharge its constitutional duties.
Justice Ngene noted that the Legal Year celebration, deeply rooted in English tradition, symbolizes the commencement of a new year of legal proceedings and reflection on judicial responsibilities.
He added that the essence of the judiciary is to dispense justice, a duty that requires consistent government support and adequate funding to sustain social order, peace, and cohesion.
“Because of the enormity of roles the judiciary plays, adequate funding of the judiciary breeds social order, social cohesion, peace, and justice,” he stated.
The event attracted members of the bench and bar, top government officials, and other stakeholders in the justice sector.