The Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Abiodun Ayodele Adebara, encouraged business owners to utilise the newly established Small Claims Court (SCC) to resolve disputes arising from their enterprises.

He made this appeal during a keynote address at a two-day sensitisation workshop organised by the Kwara State Ease of Doing Business Council (EODBC) for stakeholders across various sectors in Ilorin.

Justice Adebara described the SCC as a swift route to justice, particularly for small business owners and those with minor monetary claims.

He noted that the complexities, procedural hurdles, and costs associated with traditional litigation often deter individuals from pursuing legitimate claims, adding that the SCC offers a rapid and cost-effective solution for dispute resolution.

"The court offers a much needed solution, providing easy and informal access to justice for simple debt recovery and liquidated money demand not exceeding 3 million naira.

"It serves as a vital tool in decongesting district court and improving the economy of the state. This is not only about resolving disputes but also about promoting economic ties," he stated.

Chairman of Ease of Doing Business council and commissioner for Finance, Dr Hauwa Nuru, said "This court is especially critical to our micro, small, and medium-sised enterprises (MSMEs), the lifeblood of our economy , that provides them with a swift, low-cost mechanism to enforce contracts and protect their rights."