By Julius Agadaga, Yenagoa
Governor Douye Diri has described Bayelsa as the most peaceful state in Nigeria with the lowest crime rate, citing the state’s commitment to alternative dispute resolution as key to maintaining stability.
The governor made the statement while addressing the 2nd Stakeholders’ Sensitization Conference of the Bayelsa State Multi-Door Courthouse in Yenagoa.
The conference, themed “Policy Dialogue on Justice Reforms: Re-Imagining Justice in Bayelsa”, brought together legal practitioners, traditional rulers, and civil society groups.
Represented by his Deputy, Mr. Peter Akpe, Governor Diri said the Multi-Door Courthouse is a critical component in the dispensation of justice, providing citizens with alternatives to lengthy litigation.
He pledged the administration’s continued support for the judiciary to strengthen access to justice.
The Chief Judge of Bayelsa State and Chairman of the Multi-Door Courthouse Governing Council, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, said the system benefits citizens and the legal system through its affordability and ability to reduce case congestion in conventional courts.
She thanked the executive and legislature for enacting the law establishing the court, while appealing to the governor for adequate funding to sustain its operations.
“The theme, ‘Policy Dialogue on Justice Reforms’, is both timely and compelling. It challenges us to rethink justice from the perspective of the citizen,” Justice Ayemieye stated.
“Justice is the foundation of social order, economic confidence, democratic governance, and sustainable development. No society can attain its full potential where disputes remain unresolved, rights remain unenforced, or citizens lose confidence in institutions established to protect them.
“Across Nigeria, the challenge of case congestion and delays continues to place significant pressure on the courts. Reports indicate that superior courts across the federation still grapple with substantial backlogs, underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches to dispute resolution,” she added.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Biriyai Dambo, SAN, noted that the multi-door system offers litigants alternative pathways to justice, with emphasis on peaceful resolution and conciliation.
In his welcome address, Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, King Collins Daniel, said the forum was designed to sensitize stakeholders on the benefits of the Multi-Door Courthouse.
He added that Bayelsa holds a unique place in Nigeria’s history as the site of the historic Akassa Raid and home to Oloibiri in Ogbia LGA, where oil was first discovered in commercial quantity.
Delivering the keynote, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Prof. Dorothy Ufot advocated for a culture shift toward multi-door dispute resolution and called for its full integration into the judicial and governance system.
She urged reforms in the court registry, which she described as the “engine room” of justice delivery, and stressed that investment in the judiciary is in the best interest of the state.
“Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process in which a neutral third party helps disputing parties communicate and negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement,” Prof. Ufot explained.
“Unlike a judge or arbitrator, the mediator does not impose a binding decision but facilitates conversation to help parties resolve issues themselves. An effective justice system is one of the easiest ways to foster societal development.”
The conference was attended by members of the judiciary, legislature, executive council, traditional rulers, legal professionals, and civil society organizations.
