By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
The Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Tessy Diai, has called for increased funding for the state judiciary, citing poor court infrastructure, acute manpower shortages, inadequate facilities and other challenges hampering effective justice delivery across the state.
Justice Diai made the call on Monday during the Thanksgiving Mass marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic Church, Asaba.
The Chief Judge said many of the challenges confronting the judiciary remained largely unresolved, despite efforts made during the previous legal year, and appealed to the Executive and Legislature for greater support.
“The situation has remained almost the same with only slight changes here and there,” Diai said, urging “the understanding and cooperation of the Executive and the Legislature” to ensure adequate funding for the operations and infrastructure of the judiciary.
According to her, the judiciary, which operates more than 230 courts across urban and rural communities in the state, continues to contend with serious infrastructural deficiencies.
“Many courts are either non-existent, inadequate, or in deplorable state,” she said.
Justice Diai also identified inadequate residential accommodation for judicial officers, poor road conditions, rising insecurity and high transportation costs as factors affecting the effective administration of justice, particularly in rural communities.
She further raised concerns over manpower shortages, noting that the failure to recruit adequate personnel over the past decade had placed considerable pressure on existing staff.
The Chief Judge said several courts, especially those in rural areas, lacked basic amenities, including potable water, office furniture, solar-powered electricity and adequate security infrastructure.
She therefore stressed the need for sustained investment in the judiciary to create a working environment capable of supporting efficient and timely justice delivery.
Despite the challenges, Diai highlighted significant progress in the digital transformation of the state judiciary.
She disclosed that the Nigeria Case Management System and electronic filing platform had been expanded, with the system activated between May and July 2026 in High Court 7, Asaba, as well as the Kwale, Effurun, Warri, Ibusa and Ogwashi-Uku judicial divisions.
She added that equipment for virtual and remote hearings had been procured for 20 additional courts, while training was ongoing for court reporters on the use of newly acquired stenography machines.
The Chief Judge also reaffirmed the importance of collaboration between the Bar and the Bench, describing the administration of justice as a shared responsibility.
“The dignity of the legal profession, the sanctity of our justice system, its sustenance, the upholding of the rule of law and of the core values and ethics of the legal profession is a collective responsibility of the Bar and the Bench,” she said.
Responding to the concerns, Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary through improved infrastructure, welfare and a conducive working environment.
The governor said a strong, independent and effective judiciary was essential to peace, security and sustainable development, noting that the courts played a critical role in protecting citizens’ rights, resolving disputes and upholding the rule of law.
Oborevwori commended judicial officers, members of the Bar and other justice-sector stakeholders for their dedication and resilience despite the difficulties encountered during the previous legal year.
He urged judges and lawyers to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, and to resist influence, favouritism and personal interests in the administration of justice.
“Let justice be administered impartially and expeditiously. Let integrity remain the foundation of our conduct, and let the rule of law prevail over influence, favouritism or personal interest,” the governor said.
Oborevwori, who took the first Bible reading from Exodus 23:1, 3, 6-8, also stressed that justice must go beyond the mere application of the law, insisting that it should be administered with fairness, compassion and respect for human dignity.
In his homily, the Bishop of the Diocese, Bishop Elue, described the judiciary as a critical pillar of democracy, with responsibility for holding government accountable, protecting citizens’ rights and ensuring compliance with the Constitution.
Citing Pope John Paul II’s encyclical, Centesimus Annus, the cleric said authentic democracy could only thrive under the rule of law and on a firm foundation of moral values.
He called for transparency and accountability in judicial proceedings, stressing that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to have been done.
The bishop further warned that the misconduct of a few judicial officers could erode public confidence in the entire judiciary, urging judges and lawyers to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and ethical conduct as the new Legal Year begins.