By Felix Asuquo, Calabar
The Cross River State House of Assembly has passed the Cross River State Customary Court Bill, 2026, into law as part of efforts to reform the administration of customary justice in the state.
The bill followed the consideration and adoption 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, Davies Etta, on Wednesday said the committee consulted relevant stakeholders, including the Chief Judge of the state, traditional institutions, customary court stakeholders and members of the public.
Etta said the bill was designed to reform the existing customary court system established under the 1976 law and subsequently codified in 2004.
According to him, the new law seeks to strengthen the administration of customary justice, improve professionalism and ensure proper record keeping across the state.
A major provision of the law is the requirement that anyone appointed as chairman of a customary court must be a legal practitioner with the requisite years of professional experience.
The law also prescribes minimum qualifications for other members of the court and provides for improved conditions of service.
Another key reform is the introduction of proper court registers and systematic record keeping. Under the new arrangement, designated officers will be responsible for recording proceedings and maintaining official court records.
The committee chairman explained that the reform would end the previous practice where the chairman and members of customary courts were also responsible for keeping court records.
The law provides for a customary court to comprise a chairman and two members, with provisions covering quorum, tenure and expanded jurisdiction over matters suitable for local determination, including gender-based violence cases within the limits of the law.
It also contains provisions on the establishment and jurisdiction of customary courts, court proceedings, ancillary powers, transfer of cases, appeals, court officers, rules of court and other related matters.
The bill was restructured from two parts, 65 sections and one schedule to 10 parts, 66 sections and two schedules following inputs received during consultations and the public hearing.
After the report was considered, the bill was read for the third time and passed into law.
Speaking after the passage, the Speaker of the House, Elvert Ayambem, described the development as a major step towards judicial reform and improved access to justice at the grassroots.
Ayambem commended members of the House and stakeholders who contributed to the legislative process.
