By Flowerbudnews
The Enugu State Government has inaugurated the second Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse (ESMDC) governing council for its continuations promotion of the growth and effective functioning of the justice system through Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADR) in the state.
The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Raymond Ozoemena, during the inauguration on Wednesday in Enugu, urged the newly inaugurated council members to work hard in their place of assignments.
Ozoemena said that the second inauguration was a very important function of the judiciary as his intention was to move the judiciary forward from where the former chief Judge stopped as the inauguration of senior advocates, the Judges and lawyers were well taken.
He called on the members to always feel free to come and advise them wherever they go wrong.
In her speech, the newly appointed Chairman of the council, former Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ngozi Emehelu, said that the inauguration ceremony marked the beginning of a new chapter in the collective efforts of the judiciary and all stakeholder interests represented to improve access to justice and promote alternative dispute resolution in Enugu State.
Emehelu noted that the primary goal of the ESMDC was to promote the growth and effective functioning of the justice system through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods and its objectives as stated in section four of the Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse Law 2018.
According to her, the section four of the ESMDC Law are to enhance access to justice by providing alternative mechanisms to supplement litigation in the resolution of disputes.
“To minimize citizens frustration and delay in justice delivery by providing a standard legal framework for the fair and efficient settlement of disputes through alternative dispute resolution.
“To serve as the focal point for the promotion of alternative dispute resolution in Enugu State and to promote the growth and effective functioning of the justice system through alternative dispute resolution methods,” she said.
According to her, the ESMDC Governing Council which is being inaugurated today the 22nd of May, 2024 is the second council and comprises a chairman, two ADR Judges and a magistrate of Enugu State, the Attorney General of Enugu State.
“A representative of the Nigerian Bar Association, The director of the ESMDC, one representative of the private sector and one person whose membership in the opinion of the council shall assist with the promotion of ADR as a concept and the ESMDC as an institution,” she said.
She added that she was committed to working tirelessly with her fellow council members to ensure that the state Multi-Door Courthouse fulfils its mandate and serves the needs of our community effectively.
Earlier, the Chief Registrar of the state judiciary, Mr Kingsley Eze, said that the original governing council was established in 2021 and their tenure ended in March 2024.
Eze listed the members of the new governing council to include Justice Ngozi Emehelu, the Chairman, Justice Enu Oluedo, Justice Ugonne Nweze, of the Customary Court of Appeal, Enugu State.
Others are Dr Kingsley Ude, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State, Justina Offia, SAN; and Ngozi Ajogwu, the Chief Magistrate,
The rest are: Sir Odega Jideonwo, President, Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, (ECCIMA); Caroline Etuk, Director, Multi-Door Courthouse, Enugu and Mr Linus Okoro, Chairman Nigeria Bar Association.
