KOGI CHIEF JUDGE INAUGURATES COMMITTEE TO REVIEW HIGH COURT RULES. (PHOTO).

 Judiciary

Kogi Chief Judge inaugurates committee to review High Court rules

The Chief Judge of Kogi State, Hon. Justice Josiah Majebi, has inaugurated a committee for the review of the state’s High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, just as judges of the court proceed on a one-week break to mark the Easter celebration.

The high-powered committee was inaugurated at the state’s judiciary headquarters in Lokoja, with Hon. Justice Abdul Awulu as its Chairman and Hon. Justice Moses Gwatana as the Vice Chairman.

Speaking on the imperative of reviewing the rules, the Chief Judge disclosed that the current rules guiding procedures in the High Court of Justice were enacted 19 years ago when the pioneer Chief Judge of the state, Hon. Justice Umaru Eri, made and brought the rules into effect, introducing “some remarkable innovations into the civil litigation landscape” in the state.

He stated further that “however, as with most systems of law, there is always room for further innovations, modifications and improvements aimed at achieving better degree of conformity with contemporary practices.”

The review of the rules, the Chief Judge added, was therefore an urgent reform needed for the administration of justice in the state to adapt to evolving technological developments, with a view to enhancing the civil litigation process to meet modern civil litigation procedures.

“These reforms will prioritize technology integration, procedural efficiency and case management flexibility fostering a more robust and accessible justice system,” he said.

While expressing confidence in members of the committee to deliver on the responsibility entrusted to them, Justice Majebi expressed hope of receiving an all-encompassing set of Rules at the end of the one-month period given to the committee, while also acknowledging the credibility and pedigree of the committee members.