By ARIT OTONG UBOK

Akwa Ibom Unveils Justice Reforms, Plans to Move Uyo Prison Outside City

THE Akwa Ibom State Government is pursuing a broader justice-sector reform programme that includes relocating the Uyo Correctional Centre, expanding legal representation for vulnerable residents and strengthening the workforce of the Ministry of Justice.

State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, announced the initiatives during the 12th Ministerial Media Briefing at Akpan Isemin Hall, Government House, Uyo.

He said the government had allocated land for a new correctional facility outside the city. The project, which Azvad and Moore Services Limited is handling, is expected to be completed before the end of the 2026/2027 legal year.

The relocation forms part of the administration of Governor Umo Eno’s efforts to address overcrowding and improve conditions within the state’s correctional facilities.

Prison Relocation Anchors Decongestion Strategy

According to Udom, the state government is collaborating with the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) to tackle congestion in correctional centres.

One aspect of the partnership involves providing logistical support for transporting awaiting-trial inmates to court. By facilitating their attendance at scheduled hearings, the government hopes to support the timely handling of pending cases.

Equally important, regular visits to correctional facilities by the Chief Judge and the Director of Public Prosecutions have helped identify cases that require urgent attention.

Udom noted that cases involving minor offences receive particular attention during these visits. The approach is intended to identify matters that may benefit from quicker judicial consideration.

In addition, the ministry is preparing for a second prison audit. The exercise is expected to provide further information for its ongoing efforts to reduce congestion.

Public Defender Law Seeks to Bridge Legal Representation Gap

While the government is addressing overcrowding, it is also working to improve access to legal representation for residents who cannot afford it.

Udom disclosed that Governor Eno signed the Akwa Ibom State Office of the Public Defender Establishment Law in July 2026.

The legislation establishes the foundation for an office that will provide legal assistance to indigent and disadvantaged residents. Consequently, people who cannot afford private legal services are expected to have greater access to legal support.

The initiative also seeks to advance human rights, social justice and the rule of law.

Furthermore, the government has approved the recruitment of 25 additional law officers. The commissioner said the recruitment would strengthen the ministry’s workforce and improve the legal services it provides to government institutions and the public.

Thousands of Civil & Criminal Cases Under Ministry’s Watch

The ministry’s workload remains substantial. Udom reported that it was handling 3,264 ongoing civil and criminal cases across courts in the country.

Civil matters accounted for 896 pending cases, of which 96 were concluded during the reporting period.

Criminal proceedings represented a larger proportion of the caseload. The ministry recorded 2,368 pending criminal cases, while 843 were concluded within the same period.

Beyond litigation, the ministry prepared about 420 legal instruments to support government transactions and administrative activities.

These documents covered regulations, executive orders, agreements, tenancy agreements, leases, memoranda of understanding, legal opinions and advisory documents.

The range of instruments highlights the ministry’s responsibilities beyond courtroom proceedings, particularly its role in providing legal guidance for government operations.

Gender-Based Violence Remains a Major Justice Challenge

Meanwhile, the ministry is confronting cases of gender-based violence involving vulnerable residents.

Udom disclosed that 340 cases remained pending. They included spousal battery, physical assault, threats to life, emotional abuse, harmful widowhood practices and child abandonment.

To improve its response, the ministry is strengthening public awareness, capacity-building and paralegal training.

These interventions are designed to improve the handling of reported cases, strengthen support for affected persons and protect vulnerable members of society.

Alternative Dispute Resolution & Estate Protection

In another area of reform, the ministry is promoting alternative dispute resolution as a means of settling family, tenancy, marital, land and community disputes.

This approach provides an additional avenue for resolving disputes outside conventional court proceedings.

The ministry is also improving estate administration to safeguard the interests of widows and children. In addition, it plans to publish state laws and develop a case-management database.

These measures are intended to strengthen legal administration, improve access to relevant legal information and support more efficient management of cases.

Implementation Will Determine the Impact of Reforms

Taken together, the proposed correctional facility, public defender legislation, additional law officers and case-management initiatives represent several areas of intervention in Akwa Ibom’s justice system.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of the programme will depend on implementation. The government will need to deliver the new correctional facility, sustain cooperation with the NCS and ensure that the proposed public defender office provides meaningful assistance to those who need it.

Similarly, reducing the ministry’s pending caseload and addressing the 340 outstanding gender-based violence cases will require sustained attention.

For now, the administration has outlined a broad reform agenda. Its practical impact will become clearer as the projects and institutional measures move from announcement to implementation.