Taraba State Chief Judge, Justice Joel Agya, has formally designated judges for the District Courts (Small Claims Court) in the state.
In a statement released on Friday, Justice Agya, exercising powers under Section 3 of the District Court Cap. 44 Laws of Taraba State 1997, directed that the District Court, named herein as the Small Claims Court, be presided over by District Judges.
Nigerian Tribune reports that the Small Claims Court aims to make civil justice accessible to the poor.
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According to the Chief Judge, the Jalingo District Court will be presided over by District Justice Barkindo Idris Chiroma and Justice Naomi Amfani Bandawa.
“Justice Japhet Nafinji is to take charge of Wukari District Court, Christopher Stephen for Gembu, Nyankum Obadiah for Takum, Danlami Filibus for Karim-Lamido, while Justice Musa Usman will be in charge of Bali District Court.”
The Tribune also reports that the Small Claims Court is limited to claims involving liquidated money demands and does not cover tort, tenancy, or other commercial disputes.
The court is also designed to provide access to an informal, inexpensive, and speedy resolution of simple debt recovery disputes not exceeding N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira). Litigants do not need to hire a lawyer to approach the court.
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