The Adamawa State Ministry of Justice says it has laid the foundation for a transformative justice system which prioritises inclusivity, efficiency, and innovation Under the visionary leadership of the State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri.
The Adamawa State Commissioner for Justice Afraimu Jingi, made this known during the State Government Inter-Ministerial Press Briefing in Yola, The State Capital.
He said the briefing was to celebrate the profound strides in the judiciary, and to highlight how these reforms are interwoven with the broader developmental agenda of the state.
In Civil Cases, the ministry has within the period under review handled for the state 81 cases to their logical conclusions, while about 141 cases are still pending in various courts.
Also in Criminal Cases the Ministry within the period under review prosecuted 68 cases in both the trial and appellate courts.
About 207 criminal cases are still pending in various courts.
Judicial Infrastructure
In pursuit of excellence, the Adamawa State Government prioritised the modernisation of judicial infrastructure with the renovation and upgrading efforts at High Court Complexes A and B are near completion.
The current intervention by the State Governor to modernise the facilities constructed in the early 80s without any upliftment, was to enhance the efficiency and dignity of the courts, reflecting his commitment to a professional legal environment.
Additionally, the digitalisation of courtrooms initiative is also under way, to meet up with the International best practice.
Legislative Milestones
Presently, Adamawa State has witnessed the enactment of 68 laws, each addressing vital societal needs.
Notable among these are the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Law (2021), which statute tackles gender-based violence comprehensively, providing avenues for redress and victim support.
Also the Child Protection Law (2022): A groundbreaking framework that safeguards children from abuse, exploitation, and neglect, ensuring their holistic development.
These legislative advancements underscore the State commitment to protecting the rights of the vulnerable and fostering social justice across the state.
The creation of Small Claims Courts across all senatorial zones also represents a milestone in justice delivery.
these courts facilitate swift commercial dispute resolutions, with an average resolution time of 60 days.
This reform has bolstered economic confidence and created a favorable environment for business growth in Adamawa State.
The Ministry has a department responsible for this mechanism known as the Department of Citizens Rights. This department has revolutionised dispute resolution. This platform has amicably resolved over 500 cases between 2019 to October, 2024, reducing the burden on conventional courts while fostering harmony within communities and families. This reflects our commitment to innovation and efficiency in justice delivery.
One of the achievements in the judicial reforms is the Capacity Building for State Counsel through collaborative training with the Nigerian Bar Association, some renowned Non-Governmental Organisations and other institutions empowering judicial officers with the skills needed to uphold international best practices.
In collaboration with anti-corruption agencies, the State Judiciary sector have reinforced a zero-tolerance policy for corruption.
Prosecution efforts have been intensified, demonstrating our resolve to uphold integrity and accountability in governance.
Looking forward, the Adamawa State Commissioner for Justice said the Ministry remained committed to fully digitising court processes to eliminate delays and promote transparency, expanding ADR mechanisms to cover a wider range of disputes and launching public awareness campaigns to educate citizens about their rights under newly enacted laws.
Lateefah Ibrahim
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