Lawmakers Seek Establishment of Probate Registries in Ikom and Ogoja to Ease Burden on Residents
By Mercy Aniekan / June 17, 2026
CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE — The Cross River State House of Assembly has intensified calls for judicial reforms aimed at improving access to justice, urging the state government to decentralise probate administration by establishing probate registries in Ikom and Ogoja to serve residents of the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts.
The lawmakers said the current system, which centralises all probate-related services at the Probate Department of the High Court in Calabar, has imposed significant financial, logistical and emotional burdens on citizens, particularly grieving families seeking legal authority to administer the estates of deceased relatives.
The resolution emerged following the unanimous adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing Bekwara State Constituency, Hon. Charles Omang, during plenary proceedings at the Assembly.
Centralised Probate System Under Scrutiny
Presenting the motion, Omang argued that the existing probate administration structure has become increasingly inefficient for residents living outside the state capital.
According to the lawmaker, every application for a Letter of Administration—a critical legal document issued by probate courts authorising individuals to manage and distribute the estate of a deceased person who died intestate (without a will)—must currently be processed in Calabar regardless of where the applicant resides.
This arrangement, he noted, compels residents from distant local government areas to undertake lengthy and expensive journeys to the state capital, often requiring multiple visits before completion of documentation and legal processes.
“The current centralised system creates avoidable hardship for citizens and delays the administration of estates,” Omang reportedly told fellow lawmakers.
Economic Burden on Bereaved Families
Beyond the legal complexities associated with estate administration, lawmakers expressed concern over the economic implications of the current arrangement.
Investigations by the Assembly revealed that many applicants from the Northern and Central Senatorial Districts incur substantial transportation, accommodation and miscellaneous expenses while processing probate matters in Calabar.
For many families already grappling with the emotional and financial consequences of losing a loved one, these additional costs often become overwhelming.
Legislators argued that the situation disproportionately affects rural residents, low-income earners and elderly beneficiaries who may struggle to navigate the long-distance travel required to access probate services.
Access to Justice at the Centre of Debate
Contributors to the debate framed the issue as a broader access-to-justice challenge rather than merely an administrative inconvenience.
Several lawmakers maintained that establishing probate registries in Ikom and Ogoja would significantly reduce bureaucratic delays, improve service delivery and ensure that citizens can access essential judicial services closer to their communities.
The proposed decentralisation, they argued, aligns with modern judicial administration practices designed to bring government services nearer to the people.
Legal observers note that probate administration plays a crucial role in ensuring orderly inheritance processes, reducing family disputes and facilitating the lawful transfer of assets after death.
Delays in obtaining probate documents can often prolong family conflicts, stall access to inherited property and create unnecessary legal uncertainty for beneficiaries.
Safety Concerns Raise Urgency
Adding weight to the debate, lawmakers cited safety concerns associated with long-distance travel across the state.
The Assembly recalled a tragic incident involving a resident from the Northern Senatorial District who reportedly lost his life in a road accident while travelling to Calabar to process a Letter of Administration on behalf of a deceased relative.
The incident, legislators said, underscores the human cost of maintaining a highly centralised probate system and highlights the need for urgent reforms.
With increasing concerns over road safety, transportation costs and security challenges along major highways, lawmakers argued that citizens should not be compelled to undertake risky journeys for services that could be made available within their regions.
Proposed Registries to Decongest Calabar Operations
Supporters of the motion further contended that decentralisation would not only benefit citizens but also strengthen the efficiency of the judiciary.
By establishing additional probate registries in Ikom and Ogoja, the Assembly believes the existing Probate Registry in Calabar would experience reduced pressure, enabling faster processing of applications and improved case management.
The lawmakers argued that distributing workloads across multiple centres would enhance administrative effectiveness and reduce the backlog of pending probate matters.
Analysts say such reforms could also improve public confidence in the justice system by making judicial services more responsive, accessible and citizen-focused.
Assembly Calls on Chief Judge to Initiate Action
Following extensive deliberations, the House resolved to formally call on the Cross River State Government, through the Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Akon Ikpeme, to commence the administrative and legal processes necessary for establishing probate registries across the state’s senatorial districts.
The lawmakers emphasised that the proposed reform is consistent with efforts to strengthen judicial infrastructure and improve the delivery of justice to residents regardless of their geographical location.
They expressed optimism that the initiative would accelerate estate administration, reduce financial burdens on citizens and ensure more equitable access to probate services across Cross River State.
Growing Demand for Judicial Decentralisation
The Assembly’s resolution reflects a growing national conversation about the need to decentralise critical judicial and administrative services to meet the needs of expanding populations.
As governments across Nigeria seek to improve service delivery and reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks, experts believe reforms such as regional probate registries could serve as practical models for enhancing access to justice at the grassroots level.
For residents of Cross River’s Northern and Central Senatorial Districts, the proposed registries could mark a significant shift toward a more inclusive and efficient judicial system.
The Cross River State House of Assembly’s call for the decentralisation of probate services represents more than an administrative adjustment; it is a push for greater access to justice, improved judicial efficiency and relief for citizens facing the challenges of estate administration.
If implemented, the establishment of probate registries in Ikom and Ogoja could reduce travel-related hardships, speed up legal processes and strengthen public confidence in the state’s justice system. The next step now rests with the judiciary and the state government to translate the Assembly’s resolution into concrete action.
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