By Ebuka Obidinma
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mohammed Ndarani has urged the Federal Government to settle Nnamdi Kanu and other agitators’ matters out of court through a formidable national committee of Arbitration.
Ndarani who is the Grand Patron of One Nation for Asiwaju Support Group made the call at a press conference on Thursday in Abuja, and said the move will lead to peace, and unity in diversity.
“In my opinion, court may not be the solution to the above matter, if peace must reign in the nation.
“President Bola Tinubu should consider Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms like arbitration, conciliation and mediation in some of these cases concerning these agitators”.
ADR refers to any method of conflict resolution that takes place outside of the courtroom.
It involves processes and techniques of conflict resolution without litigation, and empowers parties to work together using a framework to amicably settle complex issues.
“The political atmosphere in Nigeria is tense, with tribal and religious issues being championed everyday by some people and segments who feel marginalized and aggrieved.
“In present times, early resolution of a dispute not only saves valuable time and money for the parties to the dispute, but also promotes peace and unity.
“Section 17 of the Federal High Court Act and section 174 of the 1999 constitution (as ammended), provide that parties can explore alternative options for both civil and criminal matters.
“The treason matter involving Omoyele Sowore, leader of Revolution Now Movement and a presidential candidate for the 2023 election, and also the terrorism case against Bello Badejo, leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, both of which cases were withdrawn by the Nigerian government, is commendable.
“There is therefore, the need to seek further peace and unity of the nation.
“High profile cases like Kanu’s are best resolved as quickly as possible because they evoke a lot of sentiments.
“Another reason why an expeditious resolution of the matter must be sought is because it would begin to heal festering wounds which we can certainly do without at this stage of our nationhood”, he said.
The senior lawyer reminded that justice delayed is invariably justice denied.
“Talking about litigation generally in our courts, it is clear that some matters drag on interminably, and this has a knock-on effect on the willingness of our people to seek justice in our law courts.”
Ndarani said that arbitration could equally help in decongesting our courts which are currently bogged down by a lot more matters than they can expeditiously dispose of.
“Indispensable as the role of courts is in the society, the process is usually long drawn out and hence, the need to explore more frequently the option of alternative dispute resolution.
“The sooner we find alternative means of quickly disposing of these worrisome matters the better for the promotion of peace and harmony in our country.
“I will advise the president to look inwards to see how to settle most of these pockets of agitations that have given rise to loss of lives and property.
“Arbitration can bring rest to the east, peace and rest to the wanton killings in the middle belt, as well as other parts of the country”, he said.
Ndarani advised that Nigerians should be patient with Tinubu, saying that he met an unjust society, and that it is not easy to re-arrange a system that had already collapsed before the advent of his administration.
“Nigeria’s problem is the few elites who put their interest on the first.
“I advise the president to avoid them and explore all mechanisms to promote peace in Nigeria rather than seek prosecution.
“If Nigeria is peaceful, Tinubu will do well for the nation”, he said.
He urged president Tinubu to watch out for little foxes that spoil the vine, while he is trying to hold Nigeria together as one indivisible nation.
