Cross River NBA Raises N18m To Fix Abandoned Court Building

 The project was commissioned by the State Chief Judge, Justice Akon Bassey Ikpeme, at High Court II, Ikom Urban, in Central Cross River.

Lawyers described the initiative as a “self-help” intervention after years of what they called government inaction.

 “We’ll help ourselves if the government is not ready to help us,” lawyers at the event said.

One lawyer who spoke anonymously said the funds were contributed by lawyers, private individuals, communities, and business owners to help strengthen justice administration in the area.

The comprehensive renovation covered a new roof, furniture, solar power, a public address system, modern glass windows, painting, and the judge’s chambers.

Stakeholders at the commissioning decried the “complete neglect of the judiciary infrastructure across the entire State,” stressing that Ikom had set a new precedent by taking action itself.

NBA Ikom chairman, Tah Edwardson Offre, Esq, said piecemeal repairs were no longer sustainable, which forced the branch to raise N18 million for a full overhaul.

Commending the leadership of Ikom branch of NBA for the effort during the commissioning ceremony, State chief Judge, Hon.  Justice  Akon Ikpeme, said,  “As I listened to the Ikom chairman, I noticed, God just brought me at the right time, what I’ve seen is wonderful.

“The last time I came here I was a bit depressed, but today the story is different,” she said, adding, “Ikom NBA has set a pace for the State, having put in this edifice, you must make it work.”

The NBa chairman recalled that “in the last two seasons, we lamented the complete neglect of the Judiciary in the State,” citing other decaying facilities including Magistrate Courts 1 & II, Ikom, and the Okundi Magistrate Court hall which was blown off 15 years ago.

He lamented a fallen tree that recently destroyed Magistrate Court 2 & 3 halls, forcing magistrates into a cracked mud building, while “the iconic Magistrate Court 1 building was gutted by fire caused by an unknown arsonist on 23rd April, 2026.”

 Presiding Judge of High Court II, Justice Emmanuel Ubua, said the court was unfit before now. “The court hall is supposed to be a sanctuary, a dignified place with assurance of justice but what we met here was terrible, the walls were falling apart, and the roof was leaking all over,” he stated.

Lawyers at the event said the situation reflected a wider crisis, stressing that “from Calabar to Obudu, no court is in good shape,” and comparing Cross River unfavourably to Ebonyi, Rivers, and Benue States.

The dominant sentiment, they said, was “If we cannot find a way to remind the government of their responsibility to us, then we’ve failed.” Justice Ubua urged government to act, saying, “In all these, be a challenge to the Government that this thing is doable,” while Justice Edet Kufre of Court I added, “The building speaks for itself. It is such a nice job.”

The commissioning ended with mixed feelings as stakeholders expressed worry over the continued state of judicial infrastructure in Cross River.