A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mohammed Ndarani, has called on the federal government to settle Nnamdi Kanu and other agitators’ matters out of court through a formidable National Committee of Arbitration.
Ndarani, the grand patron of One Nation for Asiwaju Support Group, made the call in Abuja on Thursday, adding that the move will lead to peace and unity in diversity.
He said, “In my opinion, the 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 settle complex issues amicably.
“The political atmosphere in Nigeria is tense, tribal and religious issues being championed every day by some people and quarters who feel marginalised 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 amended), provide that parties can explore alternative options for both civil and criminal matters.
“Like 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and also the terrorism case against Bello Badejo, leader of the Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, both cases which were withdrawn the Nigerian government is commendable. Therefore, there is a 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 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 recapped that justice delayed is invariably justice denied.
