National Wire About Nigerians, Nigerian Business and Other Stories
The Bayelsa State Judiciary under the leadership of the Hon. Justice M. A. Ayemieye, the Ag. Chief Judge has established the Small Claims Court in the state.
National Wire reports that the Court has since commenced sitting the 20th of March, at the State Multi-door Court house, High Court Complex, Ovom, as well as at the Hon. Justice Koripamo David Ungbuku High Court complex, Onopa, Yenagoa, the state capital.
National Wire further gathered that the Small Claims Court is saddled with the responsibility of claim for money in any debt recovery action with value not exceeding N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) and can be filed at the Small Claims Court Registry located at the Hon. Justice Koripamo David Ungbuku High Court complex, Onopa Yenagoa.
A statement issued by Mr.Julius Lambert Nyananyo, Head, Media and Information Department of the state Judiciary for and on behalf of the Chief Registrar, Bayelsa State Judiciary (High Court) has it that the Small Claims Court is a new innovation in the Nigeria legal system, with a view to helping small business operators recover debt owed for goods supplied.
The statement reads in parts: “The small claims court will assist business men and it does not have to go through litigation system that may take longer time to reach a final decision.
“The State Judiciary had earlier inaugurated the Management Committee on the 4th of January, 2023 for effective take off of the Small Claims Court.”
The Head, Media and Information of the State Judiciary also noted in his statement that the Small Claims Court is very affordable and easy to use thus, one does not need to have a lawyer to represent him or file his matter.
He said: ” An individual, partnership, association or corporation can use a small claims court as cases are speedily dispensed, however claimants and defendants must reside and do business in Bayelsa State”.
Meanwhile, Mr Nyananyo had called on the attention of legal practitioners and the interesting members of the public to the fact that hand book and practice directions were also available at the state judiciary and online at the judiciary website: bayelsastatejudiciary.gov.ng.
This was even as the statement enjoined the general public to take advantage of the Small Claims Court.
