Plateau State courts can now handle claims up to ₦5 million

The Plateau State Judiciary has raised the limit for its district courts to handle monetary claims to ₦5 million. This change aims to speed up how commercial disputes are resolved and to boost business in the state.

The Chief Judge of Plateau State, David Mann, announced this at the start of a two-day training workshop for judges and court staff in Jos on Tuesday.

Mann asked district court judges to use the new limit to improve access to justice, especially for small businesses.

This workshop was organized under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER). This program, funded by the World Bank with $750 million, aims to improve the business environment across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The program is carried out through a partnership that includes the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Secretariat, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

Mann said that how well the justice system works is closely linked to economic growth. He noted that businesses can only succeed when investors and others feel sure that contracts will be respected and disputes will be resolved quickly.

“The strength of a state’s economy is closely tied to the efficiency of its courts. Commercial activities thrive only when economic actors are confident that contracts will be honoured, disputes resolved with dispatch, and judgments enforced without undue delay,” he said.

He described enforcing court judgments as a key part of justice. He warned that if decisions are not enforced, it can damage public trust in the judicial system.

“A judgment left unenforced is a mere paper book, and justice granted yet unenforced is no less a denial,” he added.

Mann explained that the increased monetary limit was approved according to Section 17 of the District Courts Law. He urged judicial officers to effectively apply the new regulations.

He said small claims courts offer a quick and low-cost way to resolve disputes over debts, especially for small businesses and commercial transactions.

According to Mann, the two-day workshop would help participants evaluate court performance and gain skills to speed up proceedings and improve how judgments are enforced.

He also called on deputy chief registrars to improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability in court operations while using technology to help.

Mann said it was important to keep the reforms going since the project is expected to end in mid-2027.

He encouraged participants chosen as trainers to share what they learned at their courts and mentor their colleagues.

“Efficiency must never compromise integrity. Speed without fairness is not justice,” he said before opening the workshop.

After the opening, Deborah Nya, the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of magistrates and the judiciary’s point person for the SABER project, spoke with reporters. She called the partnership between the program and the judiciary productive.

She said this initiative has made the small claims court system stronger and has speeded up how disputes involving small businesses are resolved.

According to her, traditional court cases can take up to six months, while small claims cases should finish within 60 days.

“In the regular court proceedings, adjudication will take up to maybe six months. But with the small claims, it is time-bound. It is 60 days,” she said.

Ms Bokong said the judiciary has worked hard to make sure cases in the small claims system are resolved within the set time, from hearing to judgment.

She said this setup has increased confidence among business owners who need an accessible way to settle disputes with customers and partners.

However, she pointed out that many people still don’t know about small claims courts, which is a big challenge.

Ms Bokong said some members of the public are still not aware that the small claims court exists, despite efforts by judges to inform litigants and lawyers.

She mentioned that magistrates have continued to educate court users about the process and the ₦5 million limit, encouraging those with suitable disputes to use the courts.

The SABER program has been running in Plateau State since 2023. It aims to enhance the business environment by reforming regulations, streamlining licensing and permit processes, improving infrastructure, and supporting entrepreneurs and investors.

The state government said these reforms are meant to cut down on bureaucratic delays, attract investments, encourage private sector growth, and create jobs.

The workshop also focused on procedures for small claims debt recovery, case management, documentation, mediation, arbitration, and recent legal changes affecting businesses.

It brought together judges and court staff, including magistrates, registrars, and bailiffs, to improve their ability to provide timely, fair, and affordable dispute resolution services.