The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Calabar Branch, Enome J. Amatey, has called for urgent reforms in the Cross River State justice sector, warning that inadequate funding, deteriorating court infrastructure, growing case backlogs and unresolved welfare concerns affecting magistrates continue to undermine effective justice delivery.
Amatey made the call in his address at the opening of the 2026/2027 Cross River State Legal Year, where he urged the state government and relevant judicial authorities to move beyond promises and ensure the practical implementation of judicial financial autonomy.
According to the NBA Chairman, more than 4,200 cases remain pending across Cross River State, with about 1,500 in Calabar alone, some of which have remained unresolved for more than five years. He also disclosed that the judiciary received less than two per cent of state expenditure in the 2025 budget.
He further drew attention to dilapidated court facilities, judges sharing courtrooms, unsafe storage of court records and the continued dependence on lawyers and private individuals to provide basic courtroom facilities, insisting that the administration of justice should not depend on charity.
Amatey also called for improved welfare, security, remuneration and continuing legal education for magistrates, noting that concerns which led to their earlier strike had not been fully resolved. Chairman’s Address –
The NBA Calabar Chairman equally raised concerns over alleged undocumented payments within the court system and disclosed that the Branch had established a committee to work with judiciary staff towards introducing uniform rates for routine services and strengthening accountability.
On justice-sector modernisation, he urged the judiciary to expand virtual hearings, introduce electronic service of court processes through platforms including email, SMS and WhatsApp, and accelerate the digitisation of court records and procedures. Chairman’s Address – New Legal …
He also cautioned against the misuse of courts and security agencies for political purposes ahead of the 2027 general election and urged courts to continue protecting constitutional guarantees, including the presumption of innocence. Chairman’s Address – New Legal …
Amatey concluded by calling on both the Bar and Bench to sustain reforms relating to judicial autonomy, magistrates’ welfare, digitisation and integrity, stressing that the future of justice administration in Cross River State would depend on a collective commitment to improving the system.
The full address of the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Calabar Branch, at the opening of the 2026/2027 Cross River State Legal Year is attached below.
Chairman’s Address – New Legal Year
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