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Akwa Ibom State Judiciary came into existence at state
creation on Sept. 23, 1987, consisting of seven Judicial
Divisions at inception, ten Magisterial Districts and ninety-four District
Courts. There were ten High Court Judges in all with Hon. Justice Mbatidiong Udofia Usoro (late) as the pioneer state
Chief Judge. The other Judges were Hon. Justice J. T. Akpabio (Late) justice of
the court of appeal, E. R. Nkop (who became the second state chief Judge), E.
D. U. Idiong (former Chief Judge), U. J. Udofia (late), B. U. Eka (late), J. B.
Esang, E. I.Nkereuwem (Late), Eno Udo (Late) and O. A. Esin (Late), Samuel W.
Egbo – Egbo (retired) was the pioneer Chief Registrar.
The pioneer Judicial Divisions were
Uyo, Abak, Etinan, Eket, Ikot Ekpene, Oron and Ikot-Abasi. The ten Magisterial
Districts were Uyo, Ikono, Ikot Ekpene, Ikot Abasi, Itu, Abak, Oron, Eket,
Etinan and Ukanafun. Over the years, it became necessary to create additional
Judicial Divisions and new Magisterial Districts. Between 1987 and 2006, a
total of 4 new Judicial Divisions and 9 new Magisterial Districts were created.
Other Special Courts have been created as well as multi-door court.
Presently, Akwa Ibom State Judiciary comprises 12 Judicial Divisions and 19 Magisterial Districts, with a total
of 22 high court judges and 27 magistrates. The number of district courts
stands at 94 with 94 presidents and 188 sitting members.
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