RIVERS STATE FAMILY COURT
The Rivers State Family Court is a specialized Court that is solely dedicated to adjudicating
on matters pertaining to the rights, advancement and welfare of children. The primary
objective of the Court is to ensure that the best interest of the child is always given
paramount consideration in the adjudication of all cases.
By the provisions of Section 163 of the Child’s Rights Law of Rivers State, the Family Court
is vested with exclusive jurisdiction in any matter relating to Children as specified in the
Child’s Rights Law No 6 of Rivers State, 2022.
The Family Court being a special Court for Children, is designed in a child-friendly manner
that is different from a regular Court. The objective is to provide a conducive atmosphere
for the child to feel safe and not be intimidated in a court environment so that the child can
feel free to participate in any proceedings that affects his / her interest(s).
The Family Court serves as an avenue to effectively settle or try both civil and criminal
matters relating to children while maintaining the dignity and rights of the child as it is not in
the best interest of children to be tried before regular Courts due to the sensitivity, privacy,
expertise and protection needed while hearing matters relating to children.
The Family Court is divided into 2 levels namely the High Court Level and the Magistrates’
Court Level. The Jurisdiction of each level of the Family Court is set out in Sections 153 and
154 of the Rivers State Child’s Rights Law, No. 6 of 2022.
Some of the specialized areas that the Family Court adjudicates on are:
- Guardianship, Wardship, Fostering, Adoption and related matters;
- Possession and Custody of children, Parental Responsibility, Child Maintenance;
- Child Assessment Orders, Emergency Protection Orders, Education Supervision Orders,
- Orders in cases where parents or guardians are unable to exercise control over the child,
- Child Justice Administration including criminal matters concerning children amongst
The Persons who can institute a suit at the Family Court are:
- The child acting in his / her own interest;
- Anyone acting on behalf of or in the interest of a child;
- Anyone acting as a member of or in the interest of a group or class or anyone acting in
- Child Rights Interest Groups, Advocates and other Non-Governmental Organizations for
- Relevant Government Authorities or Non-Governmental Organizations acting in the
THE CHILD’S RIGHTS PLEDGE
I pledge to honour and protect the rights of children To provide guidance, counsel and love in the discharge of my duties to every child To shield them from public harm and private abuse To defend the sanctity of their innocence To be a role model, worthy of emulation To be their Family Court Advocate and Rights Defender And to leave no child behind So help me God
PLEASE NOTE: The following are help lines that can be used to contact the Family Court in the event of any emergency relating to the welfare or safety of the child. Phone Nos: +234 (0) 811 866 4838 +234 (0) 904 330 5205 +234 (0) 806 957 9433 +234 (0) 818 099 9933 +234 (0) 9032168473 E-mails: dcr@familycourt.rv.gov.ng acr@familycourt.rv.gov.ng info@familycourt.rv.gov.ng Website: www.familycourt.rv.gov.ng Facebook: facebook.com/riversfamilycourt Instagram: @riversstatefamilycourt Twitter: @familycourtRS
HON. JUSTICE SIMEON CHIBUZOR AMADI, DSSRS
Chief Judge, Rivers State.
HON. JUSTICE OPUFAA BEN-WHYTE
(Judge, Family Court)
HIS WORSHIP. CHIEF MAGISTRATE
L.S. BARIDAM-APAPA
(Magistrate,Family Court)
