The Plateau State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Philemon Daffi, explained that the current government, headed by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, has paid a total of N673m to eliminate legal debts owed by the state government.
He mentioned that many of the legal debts were passed down from the previous administration, while others go back to 2002.
During a monthly ministerial press briefing with members of the Nigerian Union of Journalists at the state secretariat in Jos on Monday, the Commissioner made this revelation.
The Commissioner stated, “The Ministry of Justice has achieved a lot from May 29, 2023, to May 2024, particularly in the settlement of outstanding legal debts.
“We paid N297m in the case between Erapon Nigeria Ltd. Vs. Executive Governor of Plateau State & 2 Ors. (Suit No. PLD/J636/2022).
“We also paid N300m in the case between Matthew Pam Gyang & Ors. Vs. Plateau State Government & Ors. (Suit No. PLD/J29/2002).
“We also made payments in other cases: Mrs. Siyona Dashigit Vs. The Government of Plateau State & 4 Ors. (Suit No. NICN/JOS/9/2023): N6,000,000.00; Mercy Kyesdughun Vs. The Government of Plateau State & 4 Ors. (Suit No. NICN/JOS/8/2023): N10,000,000.00; Architect Lawrence Ngbale Vs. Plateau State Government (Suit No. PLD/J375M/2023): N20,000,000.00; Walter Andrews Vs. Plateau State Government & Ors. (Suit No. PLD/J577/2020): N20,000,000.00; Blossom Innovators Ltd. & 1 Or. Vs.The Government of Plateau State & 2 Ors. (Suit No. PLD/J643/2020) N20,000,000.00
The Commissioner also mentioned other accomplishments of his ministry, such as training prosecutors and investigators, promoting cash crop farming for commercial purposes to enhance the ministry's IGR, establishing the Law Reform Commission, providing ongoing legal education for lawyers in the Ministry, constructing a table water factory, a virtual library, and a business café, and hosting webinars on legal matters.
The Commissioner also revealed that his ministry has introduced several executive bills for approval by the state House of Assembly, aiming to reposition the state for rapid development, including a bill for the establishment of the Office of the Attorney General of the state.
“We have numerous bills awaiting approval by the state House of Assembly, which, once enacted, will prevent any administration from derailing the state's development again,” the commissioner affirmed.
