The Plateau State Judiciary is strengthening efforts to improve the business environment through speedy resolution of commercial disputes, effective enforcement of court judgements and improved access to justice.
The initiative featured at a two-day capacity-building workshop on judicial efficiency and enforcement of business-related judgements organised by the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) at La Mondè Hotel in Jos.
Declaring the workshop open, the Chief Judge of Plateau State, Justice David Gwong Mann, said an efficient judicial system was essential to economic growth, investor confidence and a favourable business environment.
He urged judicial officers to ensure that commercial disputes were resolved promptly and court judgements effectively enforced, stressing that “A judgment left unenforced is a mere paper verdict, and justice granted yet unenforced is no less a denial.”
Mann also called on District Court judges to utilise their expanded monetary jurisdiction of ₦5 million under the amended Section 17 of the District Courts Law to improve access to justice and decongest higher courts.
The SABER Consultant, Dr. Paul Adepelumi, said the programme was designed to sustain business-enabling reforms, strengthen institutions and attract foreign direct investment.
He highlighted reforms in land administration, including digitalisation of Certificates of Occupancy and the harmonisation of Right-of-Way charges for telecommunications infrastructure at ₦145 per linear metre.
Adepelumi stressed the importance of judicial efficiency to economic development, noting that business-related disputes should not remain in court indefinitely, as delays could discourage investment and business activities.
Also speaking, the Deputy Chief Registrar (Magistrates), High Court of Justice, Plateau State, Hon. Deborah Abok Nyam, said the partnership between SABER and the judiciary had strengthened the Small Claims Court system and improved the resolution of business-related disputes.
She explained that the court provides a 60-day timeline for resolving eligible claims of up to ₦5 million, compared with regular court proceedings that could take up to six months.
According to her, “From hearing to judgement, we work with the timeline of 60 days, and this has really improved confidence within the business community.”
Nyam identified inadequate public awareness as a major challenge, urging residents to take advantage of the Small Claims Court available across magistrate courts in Plateau State.
