“Using Federal Model As Guide” — CJ Fabian-Obot Initiates Judicial Service Rules Review In Akwa Ibom
The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaette Fabian-Obot, has set up a six-man committee for the update of the state Judicial Service Commission rules in the state.
The CJ announced the committee during the 2025/2026 Legal year held at the Judiciary Multi-purpose hall in Uyo, the state capital, on Monday.
Fabian-Obot, who noted that the constitution followed directives to all states’ judiciaries to conduct their affairs with the use of models of the regulations of the federal judicial commission as a guide, said states like Anambra have had their own judicial service rules since 2006, while Lagos, Osun and Rivers states have since updated their own rules.
“Recently, a 3-day Conference of Secretaries of the Judicial Service Commission/Committee in the Federation was held between 9-11th July 2025 at the Federal Judicial Service Commission complex at Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, under the chairmanship of the Hon Chief Justice of Nigeria, His Lordship Hon Justice Kudirat Kerere-Ekun.
”At the end, a communique was issued giving directives to all state judiciaries to conduct their affairs with the use of the model of the regulations of the Federal Judicial Commission as a guide, with modifications to suit the operation of individual States based on their peculiarities.
”I have since found that some states of the Federation, like Anambra, have had their own Judicial Service Rules since 2006; Lagos State, Osun and Rivers States have also updated their rules. To this end, I have set in motion the machinery to make rules for the Judicial Service Commission of Akwa Ibom State, and the following have been nominated to serve in the Judicial Service Rules committee of Akwa Ibom State,” the CJ said.
The committee, which is chaired by the CJ herself, has the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Uko Udom, SAN, Imowo Okpokpo, Dr Emmanuel Akpan and Christopher Emmanuel as members, while former Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Enefiok Essien, is the committee secretary.
The CJ who reviewed the activities of the judiciary expressed satisfaction that the funding crisis and accumulated debts in the judiciary have been resolved.
She expressed appreciation to the state Governor, Umo Eno, for coming to the aid of the judiciary in settling all the accumulated debts
The CJ said, “In previous years, we had complained about the poor funding of the judiciary. However, this year, to our surprise, funds have been released. One of the challenges we are facing is the accumulated debts over the years. I’m happy that His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno, has been magnanimous in giving us a soft landing in resolving these debts by scheduling debt payment throughout the year.”
Eno, during the special inter-denominational church service held earlier at The Believers Assembly (Evang) Nigeria, to mark the opening of the 2025/2026 legal year, pledged his administration’s continuous commitment to a strong working relationship with the judiciary.
“We have chosen collaboration in place of contention, we have respected and maintained the boundaries between our two Arms as enshrined in the principles of Separation of Powers, and the result has been a seamless relationship that puts the interest of our people at the centre of our engagements” Eno said.
The legal week started on Thursday with a health walk and a friendly football match between the judiciary football team and the Nigerian Correctional Service, Akwa Ibom State Command.
