Benin city – Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, has charged residents to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR), with a view to reduce litigation.

Governor Obaseki gave the charge yesterday in Benin city, during a sensitization programme for stakeholders to create awareness, with the theme: “ADR, A Powerful Tool In Resolving Disputes”.

The Edo state governor, represented by his deputy, Rt Hon Philip Shaibu, said, civil matters, especially family issues will easily be resolve with the help of ADR, adding that, it will also help in the advancement of the society.

Earlier in her welcome address, Chief Judge of Edo state, Hon Justice Esohe Ikponmwen, said the multi door court system is innovative and aims at offering institutional framework for the resolution of disputes by a variety of alternative methods.

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The Edo CJ added, “this sensitization/public awareness programme is to ensure that all stakeholders and the general public are caught with this trend of conflict resolution in the hope of achieving quick and effective multiple ways of case management with less strain of relationship.

“For too long, the practice of the court room adversatorial system has failed to bring succor to justice delivery system and it is time for Edo state judiciary to get to ensure better alternative justice delivery system by bringing disputants to a round table to negotiate by themselves their emotional attachment to their respective positions before friendly mediators, councillors or arbitrators in a more friendly atmosphere”.

The Edo State Multi Door Court (ESMDC) was passed into law on 6th March, 2017 by Edo state house of assembly, and assented to Governor Godwin Obaseki on 16th March, 2017, with the governing board inaugurated on 9th November, 2017.

Other dignitaries present at the event included Some members of Edo state house of assembly led by the Speaker, Hon Kabiru Adjoto, Ken Mozia SAN, Traditional rulers, market women, amongst others.