- Hassan Usman Katsina Way, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria
- info@jsc.kogistate.gov.ng
The Magistrates’ Courts and Area Courts form the backbone of grassroots justice delivery in Kogi State, operating under the supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice. They are established to ensure quick, accessible, and affordable justice to the people, especially at the community level. Together, they handle the majority of day-to-day disputes, criminal trials, and civil claims across the State.
The Magistrates’ Courts serve as the primary courts of first instance for a wide range of criminal and civil matters. With 53 Magistrate Courts spread across the State, they are strategically located to bring justice closer to the people. Their jurisdiction covers minor criminal offences, preliminary hearings for indictable offences, and civil cases of limited monetary value.
Magistrates preside over these courts with legal training and judicial authority derived from the Constitution and relevant State laws. They are empowered to impose fines, grant bail, remand accused persons, and deliver judgments that promote peace and order in society. The Magistrates’ Courts also play a critical role in reducing congestion in the High Courts by handling cases that do not require the direct attention of Judges.
The Area Courts, numbering 128 across the State, are community-based courts designed to provide accessible justice rooted in local values and traditions. They operate alongside 24 Upper Area Courts, which serve as intermediate courts with wider jurisdiction and supervisory roles over the lower Area Courts.
Area Courts deal mainly with civil disputes such as land ownership, tenancy issues, inheritance matters, and family disputes, as well as minor criminal cases. They often apply customary laws recognized in the communities they serve, provided such customs are not repugnant to natural justice, equity, and good conscience.
Presiding officers of Area Courts are not necessarily lawyers but are individuals with experience, integrity, and deep knowledge of local customs. The Upper Area Courts, however, are usually manned by legally qualified personnel who oversee appeals from the lower Area Courts and ensure uniformity in the application of justice.
Both the Magistrates’ and Area Courts fall under the administrative control of the High Court of Justice. The Hon. Chief Judge, as the Head of Court and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission, provides policy direction, oversight, and discipline. The Directorate of Magistracy and the Directorate of Area Court/Inspectorates within the High Court structure specifically handle the management, postings, and supervision of Magistrates and Area Court Judges.
This supervisory arrangement ensures accountability, adherence to judicial ethics, and consistency in the dispensation of justice across all levels of the judiciary.
Together, Magistrates’ Courts and Area Courts represent the people’s first contact with the judicial system. Their closeness to the grassroots, accessibility in terms of location and cost, and their ability to handle disputes speedily make them indispensable to the promotion of justice and peace in Kogi State. By resolving disputes fairly and promptly, they enhance public trust in the judiciary and uphold the rule of law.
The High Court Mandate
Constitutional Provision
The Judges
Administration
About The High Court
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