The Taraba State Judiciary on Wednesday, unveiled the 2025 Draft Procedure Rules for the establishment and operation of a Family Court in the state.
Unveiled during a Validation Programme in Jalingo, the exercise, according to the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Joel Agya, marked a major milestone in the implementation of the family court system, which he said, is geared towards addressing a range of domestic and gender-based legal issues in the state.
The family court, as announced by Justice Agya, will have jurisdiction over matters such as child abuse, divorce, domestic violence, adoption, and maintenance.
Emphasizing the importance of protecting vulnerable individuals, he noted that perpetrators of gender-based violence are often individuals with close access to victims, including family members, teachers, religious leaders, and others in positions of authority.
“These crimes are committed in homes, public places, workplaces, schools, and even on public transport,” Justice Agya said.
Stressing the need for a dedicated court to handle such sensitive cases, he revealed that following the establishment of the Family Court, the judiciary has sought technical assistance from the National Judicial Institute, NJI, in drafting the rules that would guide its operations.
The move, he said, will ensure smooth, efficient, and just proceeding in family related cases.
Agya, who did not only acknowledge the advocacy efforts of the First Lady of the state, Mrs Agyin Kefas, whom he said is instrumental to the creation of the court, he also commended the state governor Agbu Kefas for his unwavering support to the judiciary, which has led to notable reforms under his administration.
Also speaking, the state first lady Mrs Kefas, expressed gratitude to the judiciary for swiftly responding to her call for the court’s creation.
She highlighted the urgent need to tackle rising cases of child abuse, rape, and discrimination against women and children.
In a statement, Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gibson Kataps, advocated for capital punishment for rapists, declaring that such crimes are inexcusable and must be dealt with severely. “Women are more in number than men, and no rapist has any justification for the act,” Kataps said, praising the governor’s wife for her commitment to the protection and development of women and children.
On his part, the Administrator of the NJI, Justice Salisu Abdullahi, who was represented by the Chief Studies, Yusuf Kayode, noted that the newly drafted rules were shaped by international best practices, competitive jurisprudence, and broad consultations.
“These rules are not just procedural frameworks; they are instruments of justice. They are designed to ensure that proceedings involving families and children are swift, sensitive, rehabilitative, and respectful of human dignity,” Abdullahi stated.
