Determined to bring the administration of justice closer to the people, a new law expanding the jurisdiction of the Magistrate Court has been signed in Cross River State, southern Nigeria.
The governor, Professor Ben Ayade signed the Magistrate Jurisdiction Law 2022 in the presence of the deputy governor, Professor Ivara Esu, the state Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme and the Speaker of the State Legislature, Mr. Eteng Williams at the governor’s office in Calabar, the state capital.
Professor Ayade said that the essence of the law was to bring justice closer to the people, asserting that “the social import of this exercise is that we are taking the administration of the law closer to our people so that those who have need to approach the courts will not have to look for a high court.”
Stressing that the law increases the jurisdiction of magistrate courts in the state on civil matters, the governor said “people would now access justice anywhere there is a magistrate court just because of the increased jurisdiction.”
According to him, the Magistrate Court Law of Cross River State, Section 31 sub section 1 conferred the power on him to sign to law “an order, which will increase the jurisdiction of Magistrate Court in civil matters. The order comes into effect today.”
In her remark, the state Chief Judge, Justice Ikpeme appreciated the governor for signing the law, recalling that the last time the jurisdiction was increased was back in July 25th, 2005.
Ikpeme stated, “today, 17 years after, the governor has signed into law an increase in the jurisdiction of magistrate courts in civil matters.”
She explained that every local government area of the state now has a Chief Magistrate Court where cases can be filed.
