Imo Govt. Launches Court For Minor Financial Disputes

The Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has inaugurated a dedicated Small Claims Court to handle judicial matters involving claims of N5 million or less. The new court aims to provide a faster, simpler, and more affordable avenue for resolving minor financial disputes and ease the burden on both the court system and citizens. Speaking during the inauguration of the court, the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who was represented by his deputy, Placid Njoku, Uzodimma, said that the court would speed up justice in the state. He however, stated that the court was established to take care of certain cases in the state that were not supposed to go through the gamut of the main court for adjudication. Describing it as a good development, Uzodimma unveiled that qualified and competent magistrates would be appointed to manage the court. He said, “We must know the quality of people sent to manage this court. They must know the rules of the game. It is important for Imo State to ensure that magistrates that are sent to this court are people who are sensitive and cognisant of the contents of the court and content of the law.” Adding that the small claims court would reduce the number of case in the High Court, Uzodimma stated that reduction of undue delays of cases was the major reason for the establishment of the court. He added, “It is a well-known fact that the conventional method of justice delivery system is cumbersome, time consuming and sometimes frustrating. The backlogs of cases sandwiched with many other issues, causes undue delay in cases that could be easily decided. That is why the birth of small claims procedure is necessary. The administration of justice in that regard was good for both the judiciary and the citizens.”