Kaduna State Judiciary says one hundred and fifty million (150) people will be able to prevent and resolve disputes efficiently by 2030 through its ongoing justice system reforms.
The State Acting Chief Judge and Chairman Judicial Service Commission, Justice Muhammad Tukur Muazu stated this during the 2022-2023 Legal year ceremony in Kaduna.
Justice Muhammad Tukur explained that the State Judiciary was collaborating with the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law to achieve the objective of a user-friendly justice system.
‘The overreaching goal is to advance the timely, effective and transparent dispensation of criminal justice by supporting the development of institutional capacities in court Administration and Case management systems in the three Focal states which Kaduna happens to be one of the states, Justice Muhammad Tukur narrated
He said the Kaduna State Judiciary would henceforth create special sessions for parties to settle their disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Justice Muhammad Tukur urged various courts in the state to work harder in this New Legal Year calendar to help reduce the overall number of cases in the various courts within the state.
The Chief judge stressed that alternative dispute resolution remains a more effective way that allows parties to settle their differences amicably within a short period of time.
He explained that Small Claims Court SCC had also been introduced by the State judiciary for quick resolution of commercial disputes that involves small claims not exceeding five million Naira in the District Courts.
‘District judges in the various magisterial Districts have been designated to determine disputes involving small amounts of money quickly and cheaply where practice directions and handbook were provided to guide the proceedings, he added.
The State Chief Judge also reassured that the High Court Judges have been paying monthly visits to the State Correctional Service Center to assist in decongesting the detention facility.
Justice Muhammad Tukur stressed that the Administration of Criminal Justice Sentencing Guidelines Practice Direction 2022 had been signed into law.
‘The Guidelines which ensure fairness and reasonable certainty in the sentencing process of persons convicted for committing criminal offenses would assist the Judges in the award of sentence after conviction, the Acting Chief Judge concluded.
The State Acting Chief Judge also explained that the State Judiciary in collaboration with the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators with relevant stakeholders assisted in resolving cases that may be referred to it by the court or that may be filled directly before it by the disputing parties.
Cov/Teddy Daniel