By Lizzy Carr
Measures aimed at fast tracking the dispensation of Justice especially in rural communities and among individuals with low income is being considered by the judicialryBauchi in Bauchi State.
Tp address the the Bauchi State High Court of Justice is to establish small claims courts that will entertain liquidated money demands in the twenty local government areas of the State this year, 2025.
Chief Registrar of the High Court, Fatima Abubakar Esq said these specialized courts have been accepted among the people in Bauchi and Azare which has prompted the need to expand to all parts of the State.
Fatima Abubakar Esq said that in 2022 the high court established 3 small claims courts , two in Bauchi and one in Azare.
“These courts entertain claims from 1-3 million naira and it has accelerated proceedings where a litigant is free to represent himself without the use of a lawyer”.
The chief Registrar added that the court procedure is also simplified and that from filing to judgement is within sixty days, that there are interpreters and filing fees is subsidized.
The high court had also established magisterial districts to facilitate speedy dispensation of Justice at the grassroots.
Presenting the scorecard of the High Court of Justice for 2024, Fatima Abubakar Esq stated that for the first time the court has seventeen high court judges and 35 magistrates.
” 2024 was a good year for the High Court of Justice Bauchi, the last number of high courts judges was 12, but today we have 17, and 9 additional magistrates bringing the number to 35″.
She further stated that the new judges have been trained at the National judicial institute Abuja while the magistrates have also undergone trainings in Bauchi.
The Chief Registrar added that the year saw the high court moved all courts to their permanent sites.
“As as today the Bauchi State government has renovated the twin court complex that houses eight high court halls, also magistrates courts 2 and 3 were renovated, currently working is ongoing at other courts”.
She commended the State government for providing the high court an enabling environment to operate.(www.krestnews.com).