Plateau State Government Clears ₦4.8BN Inherited Judgement Debt Dating Back to 20 Years
- zillaluka
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
In a statement on Saturday by Rotmwa Kassam Pauline, the Plateau State Ministry of Justice has announced the full settlement of ₦4.8 billion in inherited judgment debts, marking a major milestone in its ongoing reform agenda. The disclosure was made by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Audu Daffi, during the May 2025 Ministerial Media Briefing held in Jos.
Daffi said the debts, some dating back 20 years, were cleared between January 2024 and March 2025. “This move has restored confidence in the rule of law and the state’s commitment to justice,” he noted.
Beyond debt repayment, the Ministry has introduced five new laws, including the Law Reform Commission Law and the Citizens’ Mediation Centre Law. It also launched the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), which has since facilitated bail for over 300 detainees and handled more than 100 gender-based violence cases.
In a regional first, the Ministry partnered with LexisNexis to digitize and publish Plateau State’s laws, enhancing legal access and transparency.
The Ministry also managed 762 civil cases and filed 340 criminal cases over the past year. Training programmes for legal staff have expanded, with officers attending conferences in Zambia and Mexico, and ten State Counsel currently pursuing postgraduate studies.
In a unique turn, the Ministry initiated internally generated revenue projects—including a fish pond, cash crop farm, and an upcoming table water factory—aimed at supporting financial sustainability.
Looking ahead, Daffi said the Ministry is focused on completing its permanent headquarters, expanding legal education, and establishing the Law Reform Commission.
“This is not just an administrative success,” Daffi declared. “It is a reaffirmation of justice as the highest form of government responsibility.”
He thanked Governor Caleb Mutfwang for his support and called on citizens to unite in building “a just Plateau.”
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