The Cross River State House of Assembly has urged the state government to decentralise probate administration by establishing probate registries in Ikom and Ogoja to serve residents of the Central and Northern Senatorial Districts, respectively.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the member representing Bekwara State Constituency, Charles Omang, who argued that the current arrangement places an undue burden on citizens seeking probate-related services.

Omang told lawmakers that all applications for Letters of Administration are presently processed through the Probate Department of the High Court in Calabar, compelling residents from across the state to travel long distances to access the service.

He explained that a Letter of Administration is a legal document issued by a probate court authorising an individual to manage and distribute the estate of a deceased person who died without leaving a will.

According to him, the centralisation of probate services in Calabar has created significant hardship for many residents, particularly those from the northern and central parts of the state, who often incur huge transportation and accommodation costs while processing estate matters.

The lawmaker maintained that establishing additional probate registries would bring services closer to the people, reduce delays in the administration of estates and improve efficiency within the judicial system.

Contributing to the debate, several lawmakers highlighted the financial and logistical difficulties faced by bereaved families and beneficiaries who must travel to Calabar to obtain probate documents.

They noted that the proposed decentralisation would help decongest the existing registry in Calabar, accelerate the processing of applications and enhance public confidence in the justice system.

The legislators also cited safety concerns associated with long-distance travel, recalling an incident in which a resident reportedly lost his life in a road accident while travelling from the Northern Senatorial District to Calabar to process a Letter of Administration for a deceased relative.

Following deliberations, the House resolved to call on the state government, through the Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Akon Ikpeme, to initiate the necessary administrative and legal measures for the establishment of probate registries across the senatorial districts.

Lawmakers stressed that the move would expand access to justice, improve administrative efficiency and facilitate the timely settlement of estate matters.

They expressed optimism that decentralising probate services would ease the burden on citizens and strengthen the delivery of judicial services across the state.