Obaseki deepens judicial reforms with Small Claims court

…rebuilds 16 magistrate courts across Edo

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has inaugurated the
Edo Small Claims Court, in Benin City, to make settlement of
commercial disputes seamless and fast, demonstrating the state
government’s commitment to deepening Ease of Doing Business
reform.

With the inauguration of the court, Edo becomes the third state
in the country after Kano and Lagos States to have the Small Claims
Court.

At the inauguration of the court, Obaseki said the establishment
of the Small Claims Court was a way of simplifying the legal system
to provide quick justice for small business owners.

The governor also unveiled the Practice Directions and Handbook
of the Edo Small Claims Court.

He said in line with ongoing reforms in the state judiciary, his
administration awarded contracts for the rebuilding of 16
magistrates’ courts, noting that the plan was to rebuild all the
magistrates’ courts in the state.

He noted, “The legal system is distant from our people because
if you have a claim and you have to go through the court system,
before you pay lawyers and go to courts for adjournment, sometimes
the case could go as long as 5 to 10 years, and you are
discouraged.

“But with the Small Claims Court, you go to the magistrates’
court close to you; you don’t need a lawyer and within 60 days you
will get justice.”

Obaseki urged residents of the state to patronise the court as
it was geared towards improving the ease of doing business, adding
that the state would continue to improve the working condition of
judges and magistrates, as a strong dispute resolution mechanism
was needed for economic growth.

Edo State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Esther Edigin, said the
inauguration of the Small Claims Courts would create a platform
where small business owners could easily access justice in the
settling of commercial disputes.

Justice Edigin explained that the entire period of proceedings
in the Small Claims Courts from filing until judgement will not
exceed 60 days, adding, “The Small Claims Courts are designed to
resolve liquidated debts dispute of N5 million and below in a
speedy, informal, inexpensive and simple manner.”

The State Chief Judge noted that the Small Claims Courts are
spread across different Magisterial Districts in Edo State
including Oredo, Egor, Evbuoriaria, Ogbeson, Ekiadolor, Okada,
Ekpoma, Uromi, Sabongida-Ora, Auchi and Igarra.

Earlier, Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Ease
of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said access to justice is
pivoted for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises to grow their
businesses, adding that the inauguration of the Small Claims Court
in Edo State was timely.

Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Edo State Chapter,
Prince Collins Ogiegbaen, commended the Edo State judiciary for
inaugurating the claims court, noting that it will provide equality
and social justice for the common man.

He urged that the National Assembly to enact a bill that would
ensure the establishment of the court in all states of the
country.

Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Prof.
Yinka Omorogbe, said the inauguration of the court was a milestone,
stressing that it will significantly improve the economy of the
state in many ways, including speedy dispensation of justice.

R-L: Edo State Chief Judge, Justice
Esther Edigin; Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; Speaker, Edo
State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Frank Okiye; Special Adviser to
the President on Ease of Doing Business, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; and
Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof.
Yinka Omoregbe, during the sensitisation/inauguration of the Small
Claims Court, at Imaguero College Hall, in Benin City.

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