Bauchi State Governor, Sen. Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, has been commended for providing an enabling environment for the judiciary to operate in accordance with the democratic principle of the separation of powers.

The commendation was made by the Chief Registrar of the State High Court of Justice, Barr. Fatima Abubakar Esq., while reviewing the activities of the judiciary for 2024.While presenting the scorecard of the High Court of Justice for 2024, Fatima Abubakar stated that, for the first time, the Court now has seventeen High Court judges and 35 magistrates.

According to her, “2024 was a good year for the High Court of Justice in Bauchi. The last number of High Court judges was 12, but today, we have 17, with 9 additional magistrates, bringing the total to 35.”

She further stated that the new judges have been trained at the National Judicial Institute in Abuja, while the magistrates have also undergone training in Bauchi.The Chief Registrar added that, in the year under review, the High Court moved all courts to their permanent site at the High Court complex.

Fatima Abubakar stated, “As of today, the Bauchi State Government has renovated the twin court complex that houses eight High Court halls. Additionally, Magistrates’ Courts 2 and 3 have been renovated, and work is currently ongoing at other courts.”

She commended the state government for providing the High Court with an enabling environment to operate, disclosing that the court is set to establish small claims courts to handle liquidated money demands in the 20 local government areas of the state in 2025.The Chief Registrar mentioned that these specialized courts have been accepted by the people of Bauchi and Azare towns, prompting the expansion.

Fatima Abubakar noted that, in 2022, the High Court established three small claims courts—two in Bauchi and one in Azare.

According to her, “These courts entertain claims from N1 to N3 million and have accelerated proceedings, allowing a litigant to represent himself without the use of a lawyer.”

The Chief Registrar added that the court procedure is simplified, with cases from filing to judgment completed within 60 days. She also highlighted that interpreters are available, and filing fees are subsidized.The High Court has also established magisterial districts to facilitate the speedy dispensation of justice at the grassroots level.

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