Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South in the National Assembly, has made a strong case for the establishment of a Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, Akwa Ibom State
Senator Sampson said the siting of the appellate court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, will tremendously ease the burden on litigants in Akwa Ibom who spend harrowing hours, if not days, travelling outside the state to pursue appeal matters.
Senator Sampson stated this when the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters in continuation of its oversight functions, met with the President of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, at the Appeal Court Complex, Abuja. The Committee is chaired by Senator Adeniyi Adegbomire SAN, (Ondo Central).
Senator Sampson is a very active member of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. He, himself, is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development. Other members of the Committee on Judiciary who were on the visit to the Appeal Court Complex included Senator Tahir Mungono (Borno North), former Committee Chairman, and now Senate Chief Whip; Senator Osita Izunaso (Imo West), Senator Peter Jiya Ndalikali (Niger South) and Senator Ibrahim Khalid (Kaduna North).
During the meeting, Senator Ekong Sampson made a passionate appeal to Justice Dongban-Mensem for the establishment of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division. He noted that Akwa Ibom State generates a large volume of cases that go on appeal.
Senator Sampson lamented the hardship which litigants in the State face travelling on the Calabar-Itu Highway or other destinations for appeal cases. He said that the Appeal Court Division in Uyo will greatly enhance justice delivery. Senator Sampson assured the President of the Court of Appeal that Akwa Ibom State was well disposed and suited to having the Court of Appeal.
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It is worth noting that Senator Sampson has always shown a strong commitment to issues of justice and human rights. When he was in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, he chaired the House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights and Public Petitions. During that period, he successfully sponsored two important Bills which were passed into law. These were the Akwa Ibom State Multi-Door Court Bill and the Bill for the establishment of the Akwa Ibom Customary Court of Appeal.
The Senate Committee on Judiciary has also visited the Federal Judicial Service Commission, National Judicial Council, Federal High Court, FCT High Court, National Industrial Court and the Sharia Court of Appeal. The oversight function continues.
