The Chief Judge of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Justice Husseini Baba Yusuf, has signed a new practice directive on the Violence Against Persons (Prohibitions) VAPP Act 2015 and Trial of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence cases.

Justice Yusuf signed the legal documents at an event to mark the 2022/23 legal year of the court.

He noted that the new practice directive and guidelines on the trial of sexual and gender-based under the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 20015 are a set of carefully thought out practice directives to enable and enhance the workability of the VAPP Act and other related matters.

The Chief Judge revealed that there has been an increasing number of cases filed at the court, as a result of the growing population in the city in recent times.

Justice Yusuf said, as part of efforts at promoting access to justice and speedy disposal of inexpensive, simple and small liquidated claims, the Court, in collaboration with the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), the FCT has constituted a Steering Committee, led by Hon. Justice M. A. Anenih, to facilitate the establishment of the Small Claims Court in the Magistracy System.

“I am delighted to let you know that the Committee had since concluded its assignment and the Small Claims Court, to be manned by fifteen (15) designated Magistrates, shall take off this Legal Year,” he said.

In his speech, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN who was represented by a Director of Civil Litigation, Maimuna Lahmi Shehu pledged the federal government’s commitment to the sector towards promoting the rule of law in the country.

Also speaking, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau commended the relationships between the bench and the bar, praising the court for reducing delayed litigation and for making records of proceedings available upon judgment.

On its part, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) which spoke through its President, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo tasked judiciary stakeholders to look into the growing trend in the delay of cases filed while also restating the need for improved welfare for judicial officers in the country.

Source: The Sun