Justice Matilda Ayemieye, Chief Judge of Bayelsa, has expressed her commitment to relocating courts back to their original locations.
The courts were previously moved to Yenagoa, the state capital, due to insecurity caused by militancy.
Ayemieye, emphasized that this policy is based on the restoration of peace across the state.
“My priority is to take justice closer to the people by relocating all the courts that were earlier moved to the state capital in the days of militancy many years ago.
“This is because militancy has drastically reduced due to the measures put in place by the present administration in Bayelsa which has created the enabling environment to take these courts closer to the people,” She said.
According to the chief judge, thorough inspections have been conducted at the original locations of the courts. This is to assess the necessary improvements needed for a conducive dispensation of justice.
This policy aims to improve access to justice and provide relief to litigants in remote riverine communities. Especially those who currently travel to the state capital for legal remedies.
Ayemieye took over as Chief Judge after the retirement of Justice Kate Abiri. She is the first substantive female Chief Judge, who served for 15 years.