Birnin Kebbi, March 10, 2026 (NAN) The Kebbi Government has begun training of stakeholders on the development and validation of Family Court Procedure Rules aimed at strengthening the administration of family justice in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day training workshop for key stakeholders was organized in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday by the state Ministry of Justice.
The workshop brought together judges, magistrates, lawyers, and representatives of relevant institutions to review and refine the proposed rules that would guide the operations of Family Courts in the state.
Speaking at the opening of the training, the Permanent Secretary and Solicitor-General in the ministry, Hajiya A’ishatu Abbas, said the initiative underscored the state government’s commitment to protecting families, particularly children and women.
Abbas explained that the family remained the foundation of society, stressing that the protection of its members was both a constitutional and moral responsibility.
She noted that although conventional courts had been handling family-related disputes, they were not specifically designed to address the sensitive nature of such cases.
According to her, family matters require specialized courts that are child-friendly, confidential, and presided over by trained judicial officers with the support of social welfare services.
“The establishment of a Family Court will provide a platform that prioritizes the best interests of the child and the welfare of all family members involved in disputes,” she said.
Abbas added that developing clear procedural rules was critical to ensuring that the proposed family court system functions effectively.
She said the rules would provide legal certainty for litigants, legal practitioners, and the judiciary, while also protecting vulnerable groups such as children, women, and persons with disabilities throughout court proceedings.
The permanent secretary further explained that the procedural framework would promote speedy justice through clearly defined timelines and case management mechanisms.
She added that it would also enhance collaboration between the courts and agencies responsible for social welfare and child protection.
This, according to him, will align the state with national legislation and international obligations, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Abbas urged participants to actively contribute to the discussions during the three-day training in order to produce practical and effective rules for the family court system.
She also expressed appreciation to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for providing technical and financial support for the reform initiative.
Also speaking, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Umar Abubakar, commended the move, describing it as an important step toward strengthening the legal framework for the protection of children and families.
Abubakar said the training would enable stakeholders to review the draft documents with a view to identifying legal and drafting gaps and ensuring that the rules were consistent with the state’s Child Rights Law.
He urged participants to devote their time and expertise to ensure that the workshop produced meaningful outcomes that would benefit the justice system and the wider society.
The chief judge was represented by Justice Shamsudeen Jafar, who formally declared the training open.
Earlier, a representative of UNICEF’s Sokoto Field Office, Pius Uwamanua, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote child protection and strengthen family justice systems in the country. (NAN)
