***Pays tribute to late Customary Court of Appeal President, Justice Otta
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Josiah Majebi, has inaugurated nine High Court Appeal Panels to hear 105 appeals arising from decisions of lower courts across the state for the first quarter of 2026.
The panels were inaugurated at the State High Court Complex in Lokoja.
Speaking during the ceremony, Justice Majebi said the constitution of the panels was part of efforts to provide an additional opportunity for litigants dissatisfied with judgments of lower courts to seek redress.
He explained that the panels would sit from Monday to Friday, noting that the quarterly appeal sittings, which he reintroduced, had continued to achieve their intended purpose of improving access to justice and speeding up the review of cases.
According to the Chief Judge, two panels will sit in the Lokoja Judicial Division. One will be headed by Justice Majebi himself, while the second will be presided over by Justice Angelina Salihu. Other members include Justices Abdul Awulu, Hawa Yusufu and Isa Jamil.
The two panels are expected to handle 22 cases—10 criminal and 12 civil—originating from the lower courts in Lokoja, Koton-Karfe and Ajaokuta.
In Okene Judicial Division, a panel chaired by Justice Etsu Umar with Justices Sulayman Abdullah and Badama Kadir as members will hear 10 cases comprising three criminal and seven civil appeals from Obangede, Ebogogo and Ihima lower courts.
For the Ankpa Division, two panels have been constituted. They will be led by Justice Salihu Zubayr and Justice Ruth Alfa, with Justices Abubakar Ibrahim and Ali Eri serving as members. The panels will hear 28 cases—13 criminal and 15 civil—from lower courts in Abejukolo and Okpo.
Similarly, the Idah Division has two panels chaired by Justice Moses Gwatana and Justice Yahaya Adamu, with Justices Clement Kekere and Joseph Ajesola as members. They will handle 18 cases, including 10 criminal and eight civil appeals from Ugwolawo and Ajaka.
The panel for Anyigba Division, headed by Justice Abubakar Hussain with Justices Aisha Muhammad and Ojoma Haruna as members, will hear 11 cases—three criminal and eight civil—originating from Dekina and Bassa.
In Kabba Division, a panel chaired by Justice Salisu Umar alongside Justices Bamidele Aina and Beatrice Ada will preside over 14 cases comprising 10 criminal and four civil appeals from Egbe, Isanlu, Mopa and Iyara lower courts.
Justice Majebi assured litigants and the public that the judges serving on the panels were individuals of proven integrity who would dispense justice fairly, without fear or favour.
He also commended members of both the Bench and the Bar in the state for their commitment to due diligence and urged lawyers to ensure their consistent physical presence throughout the appeal sittings.
The Chief Judge used the occasion to express condolences to the family of the late President of the Kogi State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Samuel Kehinde Otta, who also served as Acting Chief Judge of the state.
Justice Majebi described the late jurist as a humble and selfless figure whose death was a painful loss to the judiciary and the people of Kogi State, noting that his legacy of impactful service would long be remembered.
