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More Cross River litigants now prefer Alternative Dispute Resolution – Lawyer

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Justice Ahiakwo

By Akpan David, Calabar

A group of lawyers under the aegis of International Lawyers Fellowship has hinted that they have adopted the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism to amicably resolve an array of legal cases for increasing number of people.

Secretary of the faith-based legal group comprising of Appeal Court and high court justices, Court registrars, magistrates and junior lawyers, Justice Osai Ahiakwo in an interview in their office in Calabar explained that they have popularised the ADR option amongst Nigerians, so that it is now gaining increasing acceptance in Cross River State.

He said within this year, at least, ten of their clients have mutually preferred the ADR option to going the whole length of legal brickbats and enduring continual adjournments.

According to him, this option is less cumbersome and less expensive, requiring only mutual agreement and understanding between the complainants and defendants.

Ahiakwo who also works for Regnum Legal chambers in Calabar established about 12 years ago, said they would explain to the litigants “the enormous challenge of carrying out the lawyers constitutional duties which span through appearances in courts to preparing title documents such as conveyance, deed of gifts, leasehold, etc” and the litigants would want to go for the ADR.

“Our Fellowship has often handled cases for less privileged Nigerians free of charge. However, we would usually encourage both parties that they may not take the option of embarking on the expensive legal war but to seek the ADR.

“We were established to give hope to the hopeless and defend the defenseless, engage in charitable works so as to add value to the legal profession.

“We look at litigations of indigent members of the public who cannot afford the huge expenses incurred in sponshoring litigations in the various courts of law in Nigeria.

“Through ADR, we have successfully resolved both civil and criminal disputes to amicably bring about peace and harmony amongst Nigerians and other nationals.

Justice Ahiakwo also disclosed that the Fellowship is also engaged in enlightenment programmes to encourage people to go for ADR and learn to forgive and tolerate themselves.

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