by Christiana Gokyo, Jos
The Plateau State Judiciary says, in the preceding 2024/2025 the Courts of various levels across the State dealt civil and criminal cases, with the High Court recording 38,611 criminal cases, while disposing 5,060 cases, and 33,551 pending.
It added that, “44,099 Civil Matters were registered, with 3,099 disposed of, and 31,180 are pending. Also, the Magistrate Courts recorded 82,357 criminal cases, with 11,881 disposed of and 70,475 pending.”
Chief Judge of Plateau State, Hon. Justice D.G. Mann, announced this on Tuesday during the opening of the 2025/2026 New Legal Year at the High Court Jos.
He stressed that, “Also, 63,746 Civil Matters were registered, with 12,476 disposed of and 51,460 pending, while the Upper Area Courts received and recorded 50,238 criminal cases, 6001 disposed of and 44,237 pending.”
It also received and registered 68,159 criminal cases, with 12,316 disposed of, and 55,841 pending from the Area Courts.
“The Upper Area Courts received and registered 40,860 civil matters, with 9,878 disposed of and 30,982 pending; and the Area Courts also received and registered 62,658 civil matters, with 23,049 disposed of and 39,609 are still pending.”
According to him, “The family High Courts recorded 137 cases, with 67 disposed of, and 70 are still pending, while the Multi-Door Courthouse has received a total number of 26 mediation and arbitration cases, while 17 of those cases are disposed of, 6 are still pending and 3 abandoned.”
Speaking also, the Plateau State Attorney-General, Philemon Daffi, disclosed that, “Plateau State Office of the Public Defender has provided free legal representation to no fewer than 669 indigent citizens. Out these cases, 493 were successfully released on bail, providing them the opportunity to continue their lives, while awaiting trial and alleviating some of the burden on the Correctional facilities.”
He said, 168 detainees were formally charged to court, ensuring that those suspected of crimes face the judicial process and accountability.
According to him, “A total of 135 cases of Gender-Based Violence were reported, highlighting the importance of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDDS) in addressing this critical issue and providing support to victims, while ensuring that citizens without means are not left at the mercy of circumstances.”
The Attorney-General explained that, “On criminal prosecution, the Ministry has handled over 319 case files within the period under review. These ranged from capital offences to sexual and gender-based violence cases, and other emerging threats to public order, like child trafficking, kidnapping, among others.
“Judgment has been delivered in 3 of those cases, while 11 are slated for judgment in various courts, with 4 on appeal, while others are still at different stages of hearing.”
He noted that, “In the areas of Civil Litigation, the Ministry has represented the State in 863 matters before various courts and tribunals. These range from land matters to contractual disagreements to probate matters, through labour and employment matters as well as chieftaincy matters.
“While 24 cases were filed against individuals and Corporate Organizations on behalf of the State Government, successfully defending the State against multiple high-value claims and recovering of public funds wrongfully diverted.
“The stages of the suits are: 89 cases mention, 435 for hearing, 209 defence, while final addresse/adoption are 86, Judgment 23 and Appeal 21.
“The Department of Citizen’s Rights and Law Reforms has received 148 petitions, with 98 resolved and 50 pending,” Daffi disclosed.