Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, yesterday, inaugurated the state-owned Small Claims Court, with the charge to officers to dispense their judicial duties without delays.
The court came into effect on December 1, 2023, and will adjudicate on cases of N5million or less, excluding cost.
At the event, which was held at Justice B. A. Njemanze, Pavilion, High Court Complex, Owerri, the governor, represented by his deputy, Prof. Placid Njoku, disclosed that the statutory specialised court was necessary to enable adjudication and resolution of disputes involving small amounts of money, stressing that it was created for specific duties with powers, procedure and simplified rules.
He also noted that it would be less expensive and faster than the traditional court.
Uzodimma, called for application and appointment of judicial officers, who are sensitive to needs of the people, according to the law, to adjudicate on such matters in the State Small Claims Court.
Also, the state’s Chief Judge, Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka, said the conventional method of justice delivery system was cumbersome, time consuming and sometimes frustrating with a backlog of cases, which are delayed. She added that with the new court, cases of the required nature could be dispensed procedurally.
She disclosed that the Imo State Magistrates’ Courts Law Practice Directions -2023, which has designated some magistrates to the court, would regulate the Small Claims Court.
Justice Chikeka said: “Law, indeed, is dynamic as it grows daily, and we must continue to update our knowledge to meet the changes that take place.
“For the judiciary, the idea of a Small Claims Court is most welcome, as it accords with the globally cherished idea of access to justice for all and people centred justice.
“It is commonly understood that the court is the last hope of the common man to get justice, and since justice delayed is justice denied, similarly “hurried justice is harried justice.”
She stressed that both are to be avoided in the pursuit of justice, saying that was why the courts, in its wisdom, decided on a maximum of 60 working days for determination of matters on the Small Claims Court rather than the two days to one week being postulated by people.
