By Ochuko Akuopha

THE Asagba of Asaba, HRM Obi Epiphany Azinge, SAN, yesterday, reiterated his determination to explore the opportunities of putting in the front burner, the traditional administration justice system.

The monarch stated this while addressing newsmen as part of activities to kick off the celebration of his coronation.

HRM Obi Azinge was crowned as 14th Asagba of Asaba on October 5, 2024, and presented with staff of office on November 28, 2024, by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

He said: “Incidentally, this is something I championed a research into while I was Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

“The research has shown that almost 80 per cent of disputes are settled at the traditional level and the remaining is what we see at the court system.

“We want to see how we can allevate the traditional administration of justice system and encourage people to appreciate the fact that there is a lot of virtues in the traditional administration of justice.

“We also make people appreciate and understand that what we have now as alternative dispute resolution is more or less a flow from our traditional administration of justice.

“We want to bring this to the front burner and encourage our people that not all cases  should go to the court system that we we inherited. There is a lot of virtues and a lot to be achieved if we accept the traditional administration justice system that is part and parcel of us “

Obi Azinge also said he would strive to galvanise the traditional institution “by speaking out eloquently to the powers that be to look into the role of traditional rulers both constitutionally or otherwise, so that a place of pride can be created for them under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

He said his primary consideration was  “Putting Asaba people first, promoting their interest to the best of our ability, ensuring that the infrastructural facilities are in place and making sure that the welfare of our people is paramount in all that we do.”