Bayelsa Chief Judge Advocates ADR to Ease Court Congestion, Improve Access to JusticeThe Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Abrakasa, has described Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a vital tool for improving access to justice and reducing delays in judicial proceedings.Speaking at the second Stakeholders’ Sensitisation Conference of the Bayelsa Multi-Door Courthouse (BMDC) in Yenagoa, Justice Abrakasa said unresolved disputes and delays in the justice system undermine public confidence in institutions.She noted that courts across Nigeria continue to face heavy case backlogs, making ADR mechanisms such as mediation, arbitration, conciliation and negotiation increasingly important in justice delivery.According to her, the establishment of mediation centres by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal reflects growing national recognition of ADR as an effective dispute resolution mechanism.Justice Abrakasa said the Bayelsa Multi-Door Courthouse was created to provide citizens with multiple pathways for resolving disputes while promoting timely, cost-effective and amicable outcomes.She urged stakeholders to deepen the integration of ADR into court processes through court-annexed mediation, mandatory pre-action dispute resolution protocols, digital justice initiatives and continuous capacity building for justice sector personnel.Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, King Collins Ebi Daniel, said the BMDC was established to bring justice closer to the people through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.Director of the Bayelsa Multi-Door Courthouse, Nyingi Eke-Spiff Utomvie, said the institution was expanding grassroots participation by engaging market groups and civil society organisations. She added that the courthouse maintains a functional linkage with the High Court to facilitate the transfer of suitable cases to ADR platforms.Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Dorothy Ufot (SAN) called for the full integration of multi-door courthouses into Nigeria’s judicial and governance systems. She also advocated reforms in court registries and greater investment in the judiciary.Ufot described mediation as a voluntary and confidential process that enables disputing parties to reach mutually acceptable agreements, noting that an effective justice system is essential for societal development.Declaring the conference open, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe, described the Multi-Door Courthouse as a critical complement to litigation and reaffirmed the state’s commitment to supporting the judiciary.
