C'River Assembly Passes Customary Court Bill 2026 Into Law, Introduces Judicial Reforms
The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed the Cross River State Customary Court Bill, 2026 into law.
The Bill was passed following the presentation and consideration of the report of the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Service Matters, Public Petitions and Complaints Commission.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Davies Etta, said the Committee engaged relevant stakeholders including the Chief Judge of the State, traditional institutions, customary court stakeholders and members of the public through a widely publicized public hearing.
He explained that the Bill seeks to reform the existing customary court system established under the 1976 Law codified in 2004, with the aim of strengthening customary justice administration, enhancing professionalism and improving record keeping across the State.
Key reforms in the new law include a provision that a person appointed as Chairman of a Customary Court must be a legal practitioner with the requisite years of professional experience, to improve the quality of adjudication at the grassroots.
The law also provides minimum qualifications for other members of the court and improved conditions of service.
Another major reform is the introduction of proper court registers and systematic record keeping, where designated officers will be responsible for recording proceedings and maintaining official records, as against the old practice where the Chairman and members doubled as record keepers.
The law was restructured from two parts, 65 sections and one schedule into 10 parts, 66 sections and two schedules, to accommodate submissions from stakeholders. It covers establishment and jurisdiction of customary courts, proceedings, ancillary powers, control, transfer of cases, appeals, officers of the court, rules of court and miscellaneous provisions.
It also provides for the composition of the court to consist of a Chairman and two members, with provisions on quorum, tenure, and expanded jurisdiction to accommodate matters appropriate for local determination, including gender-based violence matters within the limits of the law.
After consideration of the report, the Bill was read for the third time and passed into law.
In his remarks, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, said the passage of the Bill marks a major step in the Assembly's commitment to judicial reform and improved access to justice at the grassroots. He commended members and stakeholders for their contributions to the legislative process.
Matthew Okache
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker
07/10/2026
