BY NONYELUM JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
The Kaduna State Judiciary has reiterated its commitment to enhancing access to justice through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), as it commenced the 2025 Settlement Week of the Kaduna Multi-Door Courthouse (KDMDC) on Monday.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held in Kaduna, themed ‘Justice that Works, Peace that Lasts’, the Chief Judge of the State, Justice M.T.M. Aliyu, described the initiative as a strategic tool for promoting peace, decongesting courts, and delivering justice in a manner that is timely, affordable, and people-focused.
Justice Aliyu stated that the Settlement Week reflects the judiciary’s growing emphasis on reform and innovation, with the KDMDC serving as a hub for non-adversarial dispute resolution.
“Settlement Week is designed to provide a dedicated window for the swift resolution of pending cases through mediation, arbitration, conciliation, and other ADR processes. It complements our court system by decongesting dockets and promoting reconciliation”.
The Judge however, called on parties with eligible matters to take advantage of the week-long programme, assuring that the judiciary remains committed to strengthening the operational capacity of the KDMDC.
“To our esteemed panel of neutrals and ADR officers, your professionalism and integrity are central to this process. I urge you to uphold the highest standards as you assist parties toward resolution”.
In her address, the director of the KDMDC, H/W Dorcas Levy Daniel, disclosed that in 2024 over 150 matters were successfully settled during the exercise, saving time and costs for both the judiciary and disputants.
She commended the support of the judiciary, the Panel of Neutrals, and stakeholders in the legal and development sectors for making the annual event a success.
She emphasized the significance of the initiative in building a justice system that is responsive and inclusive.
She noted that the KDMDC was established to offer faster, cheaper, and more flexible pathways to resolving disputes outside the conventional court process.
“Settlement Week is not just about resolving cases, it is about restoring peace, preserving relationships, and promoting healing in our communities”.
The event attracted judges, magistrates, legal practitioners, representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), development partners, civil society groups, and ADR professionals.
The 2025 Settlement Week will run throughout the week, offering a platform for voluntary, amicable resolution of disputes with a view to entrenching a more accessible and efficient justice system in Kaduna State.
