Lagos Citizens Mediation Center resolves 130,002 cases in 10 yrs
The Lagos State Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC), said it mediated over 157, 270 matters in the last 10 years with 83 per cent of the cases- 130, 002, resolved.
The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, who disclosed this during a press briefing to announce the State government’s activities to mark the 2017 International Day of Peace, added that over N4bilion was recovered for those who came forward for assistance in monetary matters.
According to Kazeem, some of the cases handled were issues relating to land, workplace dispute, monetary claim, compensation, family and criminal cases, among others.
The Commissioner explained that the International Day of Peace will be marked in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre, with the theme; ‘Together for peace: Respect, safety and dignity’, listing the activities meant to celebrate the day to include a walk for peace cum legal clinic, a stakeholders’ conference and book launch on September 21.
He said the activities would be platforms to educate and sensitise the public on the need for peaceful co-existence and respect for human dignity to engender socio-economic growth.
Kazeem added that Nigeria, like every other country in the world at this particular time, needs peace in all its constituents to enable the concept of the Sustainable Development Goals prosper and have a positive impact on the people.
He said it is because the State government understands that peace is critical to development, that it set up the Citizens’ Mediation Centre.
According to him, the Centre serves as a non-adversarial dispute resolution Centre through the use of mediation mechanism in dispensing justice fairly, speedily and without discrimination, fear or favour between disputing residents in the State.
He said the pillars of mediation include preservation of existing and maintenance of the future relationship of disputing parties, confidentiality, neutrality and flexibility of process.
“The Centre currently has 18 units spread across the State with the head office at Motorways Centre, Alausa. Other sub offices are located at Agege, Amukoko, Badagry, Bariga, Epe, Eredo, Iba, Ibeju-Lekki, Ikorodu, Ikotun, Ikosi-Ejinrin, Lagos Island, Alimosho, Ojokoro, Ojo, Oshodi and Yaba respectively.
“However, part of the policy thrust of this government is to ensure that a unit of the Centre is established in all Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas in Lagos State; in order to bring mediation services closer to the people, especially the indigent at no cost to them,” he added.
Benjamin Omoike
