Taraba CJ Designates High Court 9 as Family Court
Justice Silas Agya, Chief Judge of Taraba State, has designated Court Nine of the State High Court as a family court to handle cases related to domestic matters.
Agya made the announcement on Monday during an advocacy visit by Mrs. Agyin Kefas, wife of the Taraba State governor, in Jalingo.
He stated that the court would have jurisdiction over cases such as divorce, child abuse, neglect, and juvenile delinquency, emphasizing its role in safeguarding the best interests of children.
Citing statistics, Agya noted that 30% of girls and women aged 15 to 49 in Nigeria had experienced some form of sexual abuse. He highlighted the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015 as the primary legal framework for addressing such cases and confirmed that Taraba State had domesticated the law.
The chief judge also outlined recent judicial reforms, including the introduction of e-proceedings, e-filing, the establishment of a small claims court, and renovations of court facilities and judges’ residences.
Earlier, Mrs. Kefas urged the judiciary to implement mechanisms for the swift trial of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases. She expressed concern over rising cases of child rights violations and gender-based violence, pledging her commitment to working with the judiciary to address the issue.
She also commended the judiciary for its efforts in ensuring effective justice delivery in the state.
