Bayelsa Government Advocates Wider Adoption Of Alternative Dispute Resolution For Justice Reform
The Bayelsa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to partnering with the judiciary and other key stakeholders to promote greater public awareness and acceptance of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as an effective mechanism for resolving conflicts.
Governor Douye Diri made this known during the opening of the Second Bayelsa Multi-Door Courthouse Stakeholders Sensitization Conference held in Yenagoa on Thursday. The conference, themed "Policy Dialogue on Justice Reform," brought together legal practitioners, traditional rulers, academics, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to discuss strategies for strengthening the state's justice delivery system.
Represented by his deputy, Dr. Peter Akpe, Governor Diri described ADR as a practical and efficient option for resolving disputes among individuals, communities, and corporate organizations. He highlighted its numerous advantages, including reduced costs, quicker resolution of conflicts, and the preservation of peace and social harmony.
While acknowledging the important role of conventional courts in the administration of justice, the governor urged citizens and institutions to embrace ADR mechanisms, noting that they offer faster, fairer, and more accessible pathways to justice.
According to him, the conference's focus on justice reform extends beyond government and the judiciary, calling on traditional institutions, civil society groups, legal practitioners, and the general public to actively support and promote ADR.
"Our theme, 'Policy Dialogue on Justice Reforms,' and our topic, 'Re-Imagining Justice in Bayelsa,' could not be timelier. For too long, our people have understood justice as something distant and slow, marked by lengthy court processes, rising costs, and outcomes that often leave relationships strained," Diri stated.
"To re-imagine justice is to insist that it can be different—faster, fairer, more humane, and within the reach of the ordinary citizen."
The governor explained that the Multi-Door Courthouse concept provides multiple pathways to justice through mediation, arbitration, conciliation, and negotiation, thereby reducing dependence on litigation and fostering amicable dispute resolution.
He emphasized that strengthening ADR is not solely the responsibility of legal professionals but a matter of public interest that contributes to social stability, economic growth, and investor confidence.
Diri further challenged participants to translate discussions at the conference into actionable commitments, stressing that meaningful reforms would only succeed if embraced by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), traditional institutions, civil society organizations, and the wider public.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Abrakasa-Ayemieye, underscored the growing importance of ADR in addressing persistent challenges within Nigeria's judicial system, including case congestion and delays.
She noted that the National Judicial Policy recognizes ADR as a vital tool for enhancing access to justice and improving the efficiency of court processes.
Justice Ayemieye described the Bayelsa Multi-Door Courthouse as a strategic institution that reflects a deliberate shift from a litigation-centered justice system to one focused on problem-solving, consensus-building, and timely outcomes.
She observed that superior courts across the country continue to grapple with substantial case backlogs, making innovative dispute resolution mechanisms increasingly necessary.
"The Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal now have Mediation Centres. It is against this backdrop that the Bayelsa Multi-Door Courthouse has emerged as a strategic institution within our justice architecture," she said.
The Chief Judge also recalled the successful maiden public sensitization programme organized by the Bayelsa Multi-Door Courthouse in February 2025, describing it as a significant step toward deepening public understanding of ADR and its role in justice delivery, social cohesion, and economic development.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, King Collins Ebi-Daniel, said the gathering provided an important platform for reflection, engagement, and the exchange of ideas on the future of justice administration in Bayelsa State and beyond.
According to him, the dialogue seeks to strengthen the justice delivery system through the effective utilization of the Multi-Door Courthouse as a vehicle for promoting accessible, efficient, and citizen-centered justice.
Also speaking, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), described the conference as evidence of the state's sustained commitment to justice sector reforms and the expansion of ADR mechanisms. He noted that the increasing participation of stakeholders from diverse sectors reflected growing confidence in alternative dispute resolution processes.
Goodwill messages were delivered by several dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Yenagoa Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Clement Kekemeke; Vice-Chancellor of the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Prof. Solomon Ebobra; Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo; and the State Secretary of the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators (NICArb), Ms. Ebiekibo Pagason.
The conference is expected to advance discussions on justice sector reforms and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders in promoting accessible and efficient dispute resolution mechanisms across Bayelsa State.
