By Peter Omopo
The has disclosed that more than 3,000 cases are currently pending before Magistrates’ Courts across the state, underscoring mounting pressure on the justice system despite efforts to accelerate case resolution.
The Chief Judge of Jigawa State and Chairman of the Judicial Service Commission, , made the disclosure during the 2025 Annual Bar and Bench Meeting held at the Judicial Complex in Dutse.
According to Justice Sadiq, Magistrates’ Courts recorded the highest workload in 2025, receiving 5,016 cases. Of that number, 2,014 cases were disposed of, leaving 3,002 cases pending.
He further revealed that the Lower Shari’a Courts handled the largest volume of cases overall, with 23,877 filings. The courts successfully resolved 20,044 cases, while 3,833 remain pending.
At the High Court level, 917 cases were filed during the year under review, with 685 concluded and 233 still awaiting determination.
Meanwhile, the Shari’a Court of Appeal recorded 148 cases, disposed of 86, and has only two cases pending, reflecting a relatively high disposal rate at the appellate level.
Justice Sadiq described the statistics as indicative of both progress and the need for sustained reforms aimed at ensuring speedy dispensation of justice. He commended judges, magistrates, and court personnel for their dedication, as well as the , the Ministry of Justice, the Police, the Legal Aid Council, and the Correctional Service for their collaborative efforts in improving justice delivery.
Also speaking at the meeting, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Bello Abdulkadir Fanini, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary to enhance efficiency and timely justice.
Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dutse Branch, Barrister G. H. Umar, called for greater professionalism among legal practitioners and urged stakeholders to work collectively to reduce delays and safeguard judicial independence.
The Annual Bar and Bench Meeting provides a platform for justice sector stakeholders to review performance and identify strategies for improvement.
With over 30,000 cases handled across various courts in 2025, the Jigawa State Judiciary reiterated its commitment to reducing case backlog and improving access to justice for residents of the state.
