Taraba CJ Establishes Family Court to Tackle Abuse, Divorce Cases

By Raymond Enoch

In a significant step toward addressing family-related legal issues, Justice Silas Agya, the Chief Judge of Taraba State, has designated High Court 9 as a specialized Family Court.

Speaking when he received an advocacy visit led by Mrs. Agyin Kefas, Wife of the Taraba State Governor, in his office Justice Agya stated that the court would handle cases related to divorce, child abuse, neglect, and juvenile delinquency, among others.

He emphasized that the Family Court would prioritize the best interests of children in all matters before it.

Citing alarming statistics, he noted that 30 percent of Nigerian girls and women aged 15 to 49 have experienced some form of sexual abuse.

Justice Agya highlighted the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, which Taraba State has domesticated, as a key legal framework for tackling gender-based violence.

He also outlined his administration’s judicial reforms, including e-proceedings, e-filing, the establishment of a Small Claims Court, and the renovation of courts and judges’ residences.

Earlier, Mrs. Kefas called on the judiciary to implement mechanisms for the speedy trial of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) offenders, expressing deep concern over rising cases of child rights violations and gender-based violence.

She pledged to collaborate with the judiciary to curb the trend and commended the state’s judiciary for its commitment to justice.