Hon. Justice Ekaette Francesca Fabian-Obot

Hon. Justice Ekaette Francesca Fabian Obot serves as the 8th substantive Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State and is the third woman to hold this esteemed position. She was sworn in as Acting Chief Judge on June 30, 2021, following the retirement of Justice Godwin Abraham. Her appointment was confirmed, and she was officially sworn in as the substantive Chief Judge on October 5, 2021, by then-Governor Udom Emmanuel.

Education and Legal Career

Born on January 7, 1963, in Lagos State, Justice Obot completed her primary and secondary education in Lagos. She earned her LL.B. (Hons.) degree from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985. Following her National Youth Service at the Federal Ministry of Justice in Lagos, she briefly practiced law before joining the Akwa Ibom State Judiciary as a Magistrate Grade II in September 1988. She was elevated to the High Court bench on June 13, 2000, and sworn in as a High Court Judge on July 3, 2000.

Judicial Leadership and Reforms

As Chief Judge, Justice Obot has been proactive in addressing issues within the state's judicial system. In March 2025, she ordered the release of 55 inmates across three custodial centers in Akwa Ibom State. This decision was part of a jail delivery exercise aimed at decongesting correctional facilities and ensuring that individuals are not unjustly detained without due process. The released inmates had been held for minor offenses, some for periods longer than their potential sentences, or due to lack of diligent prosecution.

Furthering her commitment to justice reform, in July 2025, Justice Obot led another jail delivery exercise, resulting in the release of 133 inmates from four custodial centers. She emphasized the importance of such exercises in upholding the rights of inmates and ensuring that the judiciary fulfills its constitutional mandate.

Commitment to Judicial Excellence

Justice Obot'

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