The Kaduna Multi-Door Courthouse (KDMDC) has enlisted the support of traditional leaders to deepen the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms as part of efforts to improve access to justice at the grassroots.
The initiative formed part of a road walk and community sensitization campaign to the palace of the Hakimi of Kawo ahead of the 2026 Settlement Week scheduled to hold from July 27 to July 31.
This is contained in a statement in Kaduna on Friday by the KDMDC Deputy Director, Arbitration and Mediation/Media, Sa’adatu Hamma.
The statement reported the Director of the KDMDC, Mrs Dorcas Daniel saying that collaboration with traditional institutions was vital to promoting the peaceful and amicable resolution of disputes within communities.
According to Daniel, ADR provides a faster, more affordable and less adversarial means of resolving conflicts, while preserving relationships and reducing the burden on conventional courts.
She urged traditional rulers and community leaders to embrace and promote the dispute resolution mechanisms available at the KDMDC to strengthen peace, social cohesion and access to justice.
The statement also quoted the Deputy Director, Sulhu (dialogue), Malam Awwal Abdullahi, as describing Sulhu as a culturally and religiously accepted dispute resolution mechanism that has continued to foster harmony in communities.
A KDMDC mediator and facilitator, Mrs Khadija Shehu, educated participants on mediation techniques and practical approaches to resolving disputes through dialogue and mutual understanding.
Traditional leaders at the occasion commended the initiative and pledged to collaborate with the KDMDC by referring suitable disputes for amicable resolution through ADR mechanisms.
According to the statement, the sensitization campaign highlighted the various ADR “doors” available at the courthouse, including mediation, conciliation, arbitration, restorative justice and Sulhu.
Participants were also enlightened on the benefits of ADR, including speedy dispute resolution, lower costs, confidentiality, flexibility and the preservation of relationships.(NAN).
