The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Aliyu Umar Yusuf has made a passionate case for the state to have an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) courts to help reduce workload in conventional judicial courts in the state.
He stated this while leading the debate for a law to establish same in the state on the floor of the House of Assembly on Tuesday.
The bill which is titled; ‘A Bill for a Law to Establish the Kogi State Multi-Door Court House and other matters connected therewith, 2024’, was thereafter read for a second time by the clerk of the Assembly.
This is contained in a press statement signed and made available to journalists by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Yabagi Mohammed.
The statement stated that Tuesday’s sitting was presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Rt Hon pMrs Comfort Nwuchiola Egwaba.
While leading the debate, the sponsor, Rt Hon Aliyu Umar disclosed that it was a private member bill with the objectives of enhancing access to justice by providing an alternative mechanism to supplement litigation in the resolution of disputes.
He added that it would minimize citizens’ frustration and delays in justice delivery by providing a standard legal framework for far and efficient settlement of disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
According to the Speaker, the bill if passed, would not only serve as a focal point for the promotion of ADR in the state, but also the goodwill and effective functioning of the justice system through the mechanism.
He further said the advantages of the bill is that it would promote quick and effective dispensation of justice and serve as an avenue for parties to feel satisfied in terms of conflict resolution.
The bill was seconded by Hon Zakaria Alhassan Otokiti who represents Okehi State Constituency and other Hon members who thanked the sponsor of the bill as well as itemized the advantages inherent in it.
In another development, a bill for a law to provide for the prevention of HIV/AIDS Based Discrimination and Protection of the Rights and Dignity of people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS and for related matters, 2024, also passed through second reading.
Hon Bin-Ebaiya Shehu Tijjani, who represents Lokoja I State Constituency who sponsored the bill, lead the debate on it.
