Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Halima Mohammed, has said the court has registered 7,800 cases in the 2023/2024 legal year.
The court also heard and determined 5,388 cases while 3,132 were pending.
Mohammed said this at the inauguration of the 2024/2025 legal year during a special court sitting, on Monday in Gombe.
She said the High Court recorded 718 cases, disposed 555 while 616 others were pending, including civil and criminal matters, as well as motions and fundamental human rights.
Mohammed said the Magistrate/District Courts also recorded 5,474 criminal cases out of which 3,568 were disposed and 1,906 others pending.
“For civil matters, 729 cases were filed, and 462 cases were disposed with 267 pending cases.
“In the Area Courts, which serves as a critical access point to justice for our citizens, 981 cases were filed, with 803 disposed; there are pending 178 cases by the end of the year under review”, she said.
According to Mohammed, the cases disposed underscores the coomitment of the judiciary towards ensuring timely delivery of justice to reduce case backlogs.
She said the High Court also handled 170 civil and 165 criminal appeals within the period under review, adding that, “a total of 43 civil appeals and 29 criminal appeals were heard and determined, while 127 and 136 were pending, respectively.”
The chief judge said the Judicial Service Commission ,JSC, promoted 520 deserving staff, who showed commitment to their duties, while 246 other exited the service.
Mohammed said the personnel, who were yet to be replaced, exited the service due to normal and voluntary retirements, transfer of service, compulsory retirements and deaths.
She said the judiciary generated N50.4 million from court fees, fines, probate and marriage related services in the last one year.
On prison visit exercise, Mohammed said that 185 inmates had been released, as part of measures to give them a second chance and decongest correctional facilities in the state.
She said the exercise reflected its commitment to justice, mercy, and rehabilitation for those who showed genuine remorse and deserved reintegration into the society.
“The accomplishments served as a reflection of the entire judiciary’s dedication towards improving services and strengthening the justice system. The service remained focused on maintaining the integrity of judicial outcomes across all levels”, she said.
She commended the state governor, Inuwa Yahaya over the modern High Court complex project.
“This project, when completed, will significantly enhance the efficiency and functionality of our court services, providing a more conducive environment for judicial proceedings and improving access to justice delivery for all citizens of Gombe State”.
Responding, Yahaya commended the judicial officers for the laudable achievements and successes recorded in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities during the year.
He said the need for judicial reforms remained paramount as his administration strive to ensure speedy administration of justice to decongest prisons.
While reiterating commitment to the financial autonomy of the judiciary, Yahaya said that, “a financially independent judiciary is essential for safeguarding its independence, ensuring effective administration, and upholding the rule of law”, NAN.
