The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has amended the state High Court Law to increase the number of judges from 25 to 50 and extend their years of service from 65 to 70 years, in a move aimed at reducing workload and speeding up the delivery of justice.
The amendment was adopted by the House Committee of the Whole during plenary in Abakaliki on Tuesday and takes effect from October 5, 2026. Speaker of the House, Moses Odunwa, said the increase in the number of judges and their years of service was necessary to facilitate the speedy dispensation of justice in the state.
Odunwa said the amendment followed the state governor’s proposal for an increase in the number of judges and their years of service.
“The state governor’s proposal for an increase in the number of judges and their years of service is apt.
“This will facilitate speedy dispensation of justice.
“I commend the House members for accelerated passage of the amendment bill and thank God for good health on resumption from a two-month recess,” he said.
The Speaker also commended Governor Francis Nwifuru for making the House recess worthwhile, saying it gave members the opportunity to fraternise with their constituents.
The Chief Whip, Nkemka Okoro-Onuma, said the passage of the bill would reduce the workload on High Court judges.
Also speaking, Alloysius Nwodo, representing Ebonyi North-West Constituency, said the new law would enhance efficient judicial service delivery and create employment opportunities in the justice sector.
The House also approved the engagement of financial consultants for the identification, reconciliation, recovery and refund of funds due to the state.
Odunwa said the consultants’ task included the assessment of infrastructure fund allocation from the Federal Government.
He said MSCA World Projects Limited would serve as the Lead Consultant and would aid the swift recovery of outstanding revenue refunds, grants and statutory revenues from various Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“The financial professionals will have the MSCA World Projects Limited as the Lead Consultant.
“They will aid the swift recovery of outstanding revenue refunds, grants and statutory revenues from various federal government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“The recovery will include funds expended on equipping the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, among other infrastructure interventions,” he said.
The House also screened and confirmed four nominees submitted by Governor Nwifuru for the Ebonyi State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The nominees comprise three returning members and one new member.
