The Zamfara State House of Assembly has announced plans to establish an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Centre, aimed at providing citizens with faster, more affordable, and accessible mechanisms for settling disputes outside the conventional court system.
Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bilyaminu Moriki disclosed the initiative at a press conference in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, noting that the centre would align with global best practices in justice delivery and strengthen confidence in Nigeria’s legal framework.
Hon. Moriki, while giving insights on the assembly learning visits to Kaduna and Lagos states, explained that Governor Dauda Lawal had already forwarded a bill to the Assembly to create the centre, which has passed first and second readings.
According to him, the bill is currently before relevant committees for further scrutiny, public hearings, and stakeholder input to enrich its provisions and make it more equitable.
The Speaker noted that the Assembly’s study visit to Lagos and Kaduna exposed members to how similar agencies operate, the challenges they face, and their impact on citizens.
He said the experience will help lawmakers review the bill more effectively and adopt best practices that suit Zamfara’s needs, adding that the proposed centre will reduce the burden on conventional courts by handling disputes through mediation, counselling, negotiation, and other non-judicial mechanisms.
The speaker stressed that the ADR centre would help citizens avoid financial strain, delays in court processes, and other inequalities associated with litigation while expressing appreciation to international partners, particularly International Alert and local NGOs, for supporting the process.
He also called for stronger collaboration with international allies to ensure the realisation of the project and better access to justice for Zamfara residents.
He further thanked members of the Assembly, government officials, civil society groups, and the media for their contributions.
The speaker assured that lawmakers will continue to work collectively to ensure the bill’s passage and deliver a law that promotes peace, fairness, and justice for all citizens.
The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Zamfara state Ministry of Justice, Musa Garba, emphasised the government’s commitment to speeding up access to justice through reforms aimed at decongesting the courts.
Garba noted that as part of the “rescue agenda”, the government established a disadvantaged civil claims court with jurisdiction covering cases from ₦1 million to ₦9 million. This initiative, he said, has already yielded positive results by easing the burden on conventional courts.
He further explained that in line with the reforms, the government amended the civil procedure rules to strengthen the operations of the new court. The move, he added, followed extensive engagements and consultations with International Alert, a partner organisation that has supported the ministry through meetings and technical discussions in Sokoto, Kaduna, Abuja, and Lagos.
According to him, the proposed bill establishing the court was approved by the State Executive Council and later transmitted to the House of Assembly through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. The bill has since scaled through its first and second readings at the legislature. He stressed that the initiative aligns with Section 4(7) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers Houses of Assembly to make laws not contained in the exclusive legislative list.
The Solicitor General expressed gratitude to the leadership of the Kaduna and Lagos State Assemblies for their warm reception and support during the legislative process.
He also commended International Alert for its collaboration and reaffirmed the government’s determination to ensure timely access to justice for all citizens.
The Country Director of International Alert, Kingsley Udo, who commended the efforts of local and international partners in driving initiatives that promote learning and collaboration across states in Nigeria, acknowledged the commitment of program managers, civil society groups, and government officials, describing their passion as essential for advancing the organisation’s mission.
Udo expressed deep appreciation to the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office of Great Britain for providing funding support, noting that their investment has yielded visible dividends. He highlighted the unique dedication of participants who travelled long distances for the learning visit, emphasising the enthusiasm and active involvement of delegates throughout the exercise.
The Country Director also praised the role of local organisations in Zamfara State for spearheading grassroots engagement, stressing that International Alert works best in partnership with local NGOs.
He commended Lagos State for setting the pace in development efforts and revealed that the organisation plans to extend similar learning opportunities to other states, including Zamfara, in the near future.