The Ebonyi State House of Assembly has passed a bill seeking to amend the High Court Law of Ebonyi State, 2009, to increase the number of High Court judges from 25 to 50 and provide for the retirement of the Chief Judge and other judges upon attaining the age of 70.
The bill was passed during Monday’s plenary at the Legislative Complex, Abakaliki, presided over by the Speaker of the House, Chief Moses Ije Odunwa.
Key Highlights
- Ebonyi Assembly passes bill to increase High Court judges from 25 to 50.
- The bill proposes retirement of the Chief Judge and judges at age 70, subject to constitutional provisions.
- Speaker Moses Ije Odunwa says the increase will help reduce delays in the administration of justice.
- House approves financial consultants to recover funds and revenues due to Ebonyi State.
- UBA proposes to discount Ebonyi’s Infrastructure Fund Allocation receivables at 26 percent annually for 12 months.
- Four nominees are confirmed as members of the Ebonyi State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
Presenting a letter from the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Speaker said the proposed legislation was aimed at strengthening the administration of justice by ensuring that the High Court was adequately staffed to handle the increasing volume and complexity of cases.
Leading the debate on the bill, the Chief Whip of the House, Chief Nkemka Okoro Onuma, said its passage would facilitate effective judicial proceedings in the state and promote fair and timely justice.
Contributing to the debate, the member representing Izzi West State Constituency, Hon. Godwin Abiri, and the member representing Ebonyi North West State Constituency, Barr. Aloysius Nwodo, stressed the importance of the proposed legislation and called for its speedy passage.
Following a motion moved by the Chief Whip and seconded by Barr. Aloysius Nwodo, the House resolved into a Committee of the Whole to consider the provisions of the bill and make necessary legislative adjustments.
The House subsequently reconvened in plenary to receive the report of the Committee of the Whole.
Speaker Says More Judges Will Reduce Delays
Reporting progress, Speaker Odunwa reiterated that increasing the number of judges was necessary because of the growing workload of the state judiciary.
He said the availability of adequate judicial officers would help reduce delays in the hearing and determination of cases, improve access to justice, facilitate the timely disposal of matters and enhance the efficiency of the judicial system.
The Speaker also said the bill proposed that the Chief Judge and judges of the state retire from office upon attaining the age of 70, subject to constitutional provisions governing the tenure, appointment and retirement of judicial officers.
According to him, the proposed amendment would provide a clear statutory framework for succession and continuity in the leadership of the state judiciary.
Speaker Odunwa thereafter directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Edene Uche Blessing, to formally communicate the passage of the bill to the state governor.
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Ebonyi Assembly Approves Financial Consultants
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi Assembly also approved a proposal by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for the appointment of financial consultants to identify, reconcile and recover funds and refunds due to the state.
The consultants are also expected to assess the Infrastructure Fund Allocation accruing to Ebonyi State from the Federal Government.
Presenting the governor’s letter, Speaker Odunwa said the Ebonyi State Executive Council, at its meeting on September 23, 2026, considered and recommended proposals submitted by IRS Consults, MSCA Worldwide Projects Limited and United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA).
According to the Speaker, IRS Consults would liaise with relevant authorities, monitor developments and provide progress reports to keep the state government informed about efforts to secure refunds for costs incurred by the Ebonyi State Government in the construction and equipping of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu.
He explained that MSCA Worldwide Projects Limited was proposed as Lead Consultant to identify and facilitate the recovery of outstanding revenue refunds, grants and statutory revenues due to Ebonyi State from various Federal Government ministries, departments and agencies.
The Speaker further disclosed that United Bank for Africa had offered to discount receivables accruing to Ebonyi State through the Infrastructure Fund Allocation from the Federal Government at an interest rate of 26 percent per annum for 12 months.
The motion approving the proposals was moved by the Chief Whip, Chief Nkemka Okoro Onuma, and seconded by the member representing Abakaliki North State Constituency, Hon. Victor Chidi Nwoke.
Ebonyi Anti-Corruption Commission Members Confirmed
The House also screened and confirmed Mrs Catherine Ogechukwu Ogwudu, Mrs Bridget Obasi and Barr. Emmanuel Ogbonna Egwu as members of the Ebonyi State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
Barr. Mayor Ernest Ogbonna was also confirmed as Member and Secretary of the commission.
Earlier, Speaker Odunwa announced the resumption of the House from its legislative recess.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for the continued cooperation between the Executive and Legislative arms of government.
The Speaker also commended members and staff of the House for their commitment and dedication.
The plenary was subsequently adjourned to another legislative day following a motion moved by the Chief Whip and seconded by the member representing Ivo State Constituency, Chief Onyebuchi Ogbadu.
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