Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike has commissioned the State’s Multi-door Courthouse to offer an alternative resolution to litigations bothering on trade deals and social relationships.
The inauguration event took place at the Rivers State High Court Complex in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Wike said the establishment of the Multi-door Courthouse further demonstrates his administration’s commitment to put in place a comprehensive judicial system.
He noted that the courthouse would serve the dispute resolution needs of businesses and investments in the State and parties from other States that may be willing to submit to its jurisdiction.
The governor maintained that the Multi-door Courthouse system would further expand the frontiers of effective justice delivery to the people, noting that the business and investment community would be the greatest beneficiaries.
“Rivers State cannot but join the expanding jurisdictions across the world where the Multi-Door Courthouse system is becoming part of the dominant alternative to litigation and arbitration in the resolution of commercial disputes, including, even relationship conflicts.
Wike disclosed that the commitment of his administration to sustain the ongoing infrastructural transformation of the State has continued to attract more trade deals and investments into the State as some existing companies are expanding their operations.
According to him, expansion in business operations has naturally and inevitably caused an increase in commercial and investment disputes requiring speedy, cost-effective, mutually mediated, and accepted resolutions in the State.
“This is more so when businesses cannot continue to burden their book balances with substantial litigation costs in declining revenues and profit margins occasioned by the downturns in our national economy.
“Furthermore, apart from being faster in relation to litigation, one of the profound advantages of mediation is that it preserves commercial relationships after the conflict, which is what every businessman or woman needs.”
Therefore, he stated there is the need to sensitize the business community about Multi-door-Courthouse and what they stand to gain from its services.
Speaking further, the governor reiterated his administration’s fundamental commitment to transforming the judicial system and make Rivers State a foremost judicial hub in the southern region of Nigeria.
He noted that the contractor for the new magistrates’ court complex had been mobilized as constructions have begun after the State Executive Council approved the construction to decongest the State High Court premises.
“When completed, this complex will accommodate all the magistrate courts presently domiciled in the State High Court complex and free-up spaces to accommodate more High courtrooms and expand access to judicial services for our citizens.”
The governor asserted that his administration has deliberately prioritized the welfare and comfort of judicial officers and magistrates in the State.
He said the law had been assented to make it a policy to provide status houses for every judicial officer of Rivers State origin, irrespective of the jurisdiction the officer may be serving in.
On his part, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, said the Multi-door Courthouse System would regulate, encourage, and strengthen the State’s alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism.
Amadi said the core objectives of the Rivers State Multi-door Courthouse, as provided in section 2 of the law, include to,
“Enhance access to justice by providing an alternative mechanism to supplement litigation in the resolution of disputes, minimize frustrations and delay in the justice delivery system by providing a standard legal framework for fair and efficient settlement of disputes through alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
“Serve as the focal point for the promotion of alternative dispute resolution in Rivers state, and promote the growth and effective functioning of the justice system through alternative dispute resolution methods.”
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Prof. Zacchaeus Adangor, said it is the dawn of a new era for Rivers State as it joins the league of over 15 other states of the federation to commence the operation of a Multi-door Courthouse.
According to him, it is a court-connected mechanism that will promote the alternative peaceful resolution of disputes.
“There is no gain saying the fact that access to justice is a constitutional right and that the core elements of that right include speedy, efficient, cost-effective administration of justice”
The leader, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Rivers State, and former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Onueze Okocha, SAN, said the core reason for establishing the Multi-door- Courthouse system is that for the speedy delivery of justice and access to justice.
The event’s highlight is the conferment of Governor Wike as a fellow of the International Dispute Resolution Institute by Professor C. J. Amasike.
