HON. JUSTICE KUTIGI COMMITTEE ON THE REVIEW OF THE FCT-CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION RULES SUBMITS REPORT

The Probate and Administration Rules Review Committee of the FCT Customary Court of Appeal has submitted its report to the Hon. President on Thursday, 21^st May, 2026.

The Committee which was set up by the Hon. Chief Registrar on the directives of the Hon. President, Hon. Justice Adekunle Stanley Lawal, FICMC, F.DRI, was chaired by the Hon. Justice Yunusa Idris Kutigi.

In submitting the Committee Report along with the Draft Reviewed Rules, the Chairman observed that the incorporation of modern probate procedures, such as standardized documentation and a streamlined administrative process, will significantly improve transparency, accountability and consistency in probate administration. His lordship further noted that the Reviewed Rules adequately reflects contemporary realities in Estate Administration, while preserving the principles of customary law succession.

The Hon. President, while receiving the report, thanked the members of the Committee for their dedication and painstakingly undertaking the task of reviewing the existing Probate and Administration Rules, 2023. His lordship expressed optimism that the new Rules will better enhance the activities of the Court’s Probate Registry for better service delivery.

The Committee had as members, the DCR Special Duties (Gabriel Maha, Esq.), DCR Probate(Oluwaseyi Abayomi Dada, Esq.), and the Principal Registrar Enforcement (Ohunene Ayonote, Esq.) as Secretary.