Governor of Cross River State, Professor Ben Ayade has signed the state’s Magistrate Jurisdiction Law 2022, increasing the jurisdiction of magistrate courts on civil matters.
He said the development is a bid to bring the administration of justice closer to the people.
Ayade performed the signing ceremony at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Calabar, the State capital.
Present at the ceremony includes the state Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu, State Chief Judge, Justice Akon Ikpeme, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Willams Eteng Jones among other top government functionaries.
Speaking at the event, the governor 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 to need to approach the courts will not have to look for a High court, but can now access justice anywhere there is a magistrate just because of the increased jurisdiction.
“With this, access to law, access to legal services, access to justice is now closer to our people.”
According to him, “It is in my exercise of the powers conferred on me as Governor by section 31, subsection 1 of the Magistrate Court Law of Cross River State of Nigeria 2004, that l hereby sign to law, an order 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.”
Ayade commended State Chief Judge, Justice Ikpeme for exhibiting balance in all recommendations.
In her remarks, Justice Ikpeme thanked the governor for signing the law, noting that the last time the jurisdictions of Magistrate Courts were increased in the state was on July 25th, 2005.
“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 Naira, it has now been raised to 10 million Naira, Chief magistrate court 2 has been raised to 7 million Naira, senior magistrate grade 1 is now 5 million Naira, senior magistrate grade 2 is now 3 million Naira and magistrate grade 1 is 2 million Naira.”
She explained that every local government area of the state now has a Chief magistrate court where cases can be filed.
