BY AUSTIN OGWUDA

Asaba – MOVED by its desire to ensure speedy decongestion of prison, Delta State Chief Judge, Justice Abiodun Smith has assured Deltans that the law establishing the multi-door court would soon be gazetted while highlighting the immense benefits of such alternative dispute resolution mechanism.

He stated this at a sensitization organised by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, CIA, Asaba branch.

Chairman of the Asaba District of CIA, Mr. Arthur Okafor, SAN, said the resolution “will help decongest the conventional courts, offer express proceedings with less expenses and undue delays associated with the conventional courts.”

He however noted the need for adequate sensitization on the operations of the multi-door court in re-awakening the consciousness of the members of the public who were already used to the system of the conventional courts where they normally seek justice.

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. C.A. Ajuyah (SAN) had also during a recent press briefing said the resolution of disputes through the adoption of alternative dispute resolution mechanism was very much ideal, as he listed some factors hindering prosecution of cases.

He said that “the occasional retirement or transfer of the judges before who such cases are pending with the resultant effect of starting de novo (afresh). Even where warrant is sought to enable transferred judges to continue with part heard cases, there is usually prolonged delay in getting a response”.