By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The governor of Cross River State, Prof. Senator Ben Ayade, on Thursday, in Calabar, the state capital, signed into law the state’s Magistrate Jurisdiction Law 2022.
The law increases the jurisdiction of magistrate courts in the state on civil matters.
The signing ceremony, which was witnessed by the state Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu, the state Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Willams Eteng Jones, among other top government functionaries, was held at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Calabar.
Speaking at the event, the governor said that with the new law in place, the administration of justice is now closer to the people.
Ayade said, “The social import of this exercise is that we are taking the administration of the law closer to our people, so that those who have need to approach the courts will not have to look for a High Court, but can now access justice anywhere there is a magistrate court, just because of the increased jurisdiction.
“With this, access to law, access to legal services, access to justice is now closer to our people.”
Ayade averred that “it is in the exercise of the powers conferred on me as governor by section 31, sub section 1 of the Magistrate Court Law of Cross River State of Nigeria 2004, that l hereby sign to law, a bill which will increase the jurisdiction of Magistrate Court in civil matters.
“The order shall come into effect on the 3rd of November, which is today.”
The governor commended the state Chief Judge, Justice Ikpeme, “for being very very balanced in all the recommendations that have come before me.”
Earlier in her remarks, Justice Ikpeme noted that the last time the jurisdictions of Magistrate Courts were increased in the state was on July 25th, 2005.
Commending Ayade for signing the law, the Cross River State Chief Judge said, “Today, 17 years after, the digital governor has signed into law, an increase in the jurisdiction of magistrate courts in civil matters, and it is to the following effects: Chief Magistrate Court 1, the limit before now was ₦7 million, it has now been raised to ₦10 million; Chief Magistrate Court 2 has been raised to ₦7 million; while Senior Magistrate Court Grade 1 is now ₦5 million; Senior Magistrate Court Grade 2 is now ₦3 million; and Magistrate Court Grade 1 is ₦2 million.”
Justice Ikpeme disclosed that every local government area of the state now has a Chief Magistrate Court where cases can be filed.
She added, “I want to congratulate our governor for doing this. When l suggested it to him, he immediately agreed and l want to say today that the judiciary appreciates you very much.”
