By CHARLES IWUOHA

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 Judges of the High Court from 25 to 50, and provide for the retirement of the Chief Judge and Judges of the State upon attaining the age of seventy (70) years, among other related matters.

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.

Presenting a letter from the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, the Speaker explained that the proposed legislation was aimed at strengthening the administration of justice in the State by ensuring that the High Court is adequately staffed to efficiently handle the increasing volume and complexity of cases before it.

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 described it as a win-win development for the promotion of 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, Chief Nkemka Okoro Onuma, 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.

Reporting progress, Speaker Odunwa reiterated that the proposed increase in the number of Judges was necessary in view of the growing workload of the State Judiciary.

“An adequate number of judicial officers will assist in reducing delays in the hearing and determination of cases, improve access to justice, facilitate the timely disposal of matters and enhance the overall efficiency of the judicial system.

“It further proposes that the Chief Judge and Judges of the State shall retire from office upon attaining the age of seventy (70) years, subject always to the constitutional provisions governing the tenure, appointment and retirement of judicial officers.”

The Speaker added that the proposed amendment would provide a clear statutory framework for succession and continuity in the leadership of the State Judiciary.

He thereafter directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Edene Uche Blessing, to formally communicate the passage of the Bill to the State Governor.

Meanwhile, the House also approved a proposal by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru for the appointment of financial consultants for the identification, reconciliation and recovery of funds and refunds due to Ebonyi State, as well as the assessment of the Infrastructure Fund Allocation accruing to the State from the Federal Government.

Presenting the Governor’s letter, Speaker Odunwa stated that the Ebonyi State Executive Council, at its meeting held on Wednesday, 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 is to liaise with relevant authorities, monitor developments and provide progress reports and other vital information to keep the State Government abreast of the process towards the timely release of refunds for the costs incurred by the Ebonyi State Government in the construction and equipping of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu.

He further explained that MSCA Worldwide Projects Limited was proposed as Lead Consultant to identify and facilitate the swift recovery of outstanding revenue refunds, grants and statutory revenues due to Ebonyi State from various Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

The Speaker also disclosed that United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) had offered to discount the receivables accruing to Ebonyi State through the Infrastructure Fund Allocation from the Federal Government at an interest rate of 26 percent per annum for a period of 12 months.

The motion for the approval of 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.

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; and also, Barr. Mayor Ernest Ogbonna as Member/Secretary of the Commission.

Earlier, Speaker Odunwa announced the resumption of the House from its legislative recess. He expressed appreciation to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for the continued synergy and support between the Executive and Legislative Arms of Government.

The Speaker also commended the Members and entire staff of the House for their commitment and dedication, and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon them and the State.

The plenary was thereafter adjourned to another legislative day following a motion moved by the Chief Whip, Chief Nkemka Okoro Onuma, and seconded by the Member representing Ivo State Constituency, Chief Onyebuchi Ogbadu.