Public Complaints Commission in Jigawa Records Over 11,000 Cases in 32 Years

The Jigawa State Office of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) has announced that it has recorded a total of 11,244 cases since its establishment 32 years ago. PCC Commissioner in the state, Barde Usman-Shehu, disclosed these figures during a briefing held in Dutse to mark the 50th anniversary of the ombudsman institution in Nigeria.

Dependable NG reports that out of the total 11,244 complaints received, the commission has successfully resolved 9,517 cases amicably, leaving 1,727 cases currently pending. Providing a statistical breakdown of the commission’s work over the decades, the Commissioner stated that between 1993 and 2003, the office received 797 complaints and resolved 460, with 337 pending. For the period between 2004 and 2014, 2,123 cases were received, 1,560 resolved, and 563 were pending. The latest decade, from 2015 to 2025, saw the highest volume, with 8,324 complaints received, 7,497 resolved, and 1,727 currently pending.

Usman-Shehu emphasized that the PCC has played a crucial role in decongesting Nigerian courts over the 50 years of its national existence. He highlighted that the ombudsman’s key activities include handling complaints, conducting investigations, mediating disputes, recommending administrative reforms, and promoting citizens’ rights. He noted that the commission has received millions of cases nationwide and resolved hundreds of thousands over the past three decades, successfully strengthening public trust in institutions and promoting accountability and good governance despite facing challenges such as limited resources and public awareness. The Commissioner stressed that the PCC champions fairness and transparency by ensuring the ordinary citizen has access to justice without resorting to the courtroom. He added that the ombudsman has expanded significantly, from a single federal office in 1975 to having a presence in all 36 states, the FCT, and across 185 zones. He urged all Jigawa residents to utilize the commission’s services, describing the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism as a free and efficient means of settling disputes. The commission maintains accessibility through its five zonal offices located in Birnin Kudu, Hadejia, Kazaure, Ringim, and Gumel towns.