Katsina judiciary launches community conflict resolution centres

From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina

The Katsina State judiciary has launched a Community-based Conflict and Dispute Resolution Centre that will resolve minor disputes at community level in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration of the centre yesterday in Katsina, the state Chief Judge, Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar, said the measure has become necessary in order to minimize cases of litigation that have over-burdened courts in the state.
He observed that at present magistrates, khadis, and judges in courts across the state are being over-worked mostly with minor cases that could otherwise be resolved through dialogue.
Justice Abubakar, who noted that community-based conflict resolution centres were backed by law, said the centre was launched after it was test-run in four pilot communities, and was found to be effective in minimizing cases of litigation in courts.
He explained that the centre will mediate in minor cases such as debt, marriage disputes, neighborhood and tenancy disputes, and similar cases that require simple mediation.
He urged members of various communities across the state to embrace the initiative which he said will save them time and and money used to hire lawyers to pursue justice in the courts of law.
In his speech, the State Governor, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari described community-based conflict resolution centres as a welcome initiative in view of the increasing need for peace at community level.
He urged residents of communities across the state to utilize the centres to resolve minor disputes as a means to achieve sustainable peace in their communities.