ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has condemned a situation where arbitration for the contracts entered by the Federal Government with international organizations are always done in the United Kingdom.
He, therefore, challenged the bodies responsible for arbitration or resolving disputes in the country to work hard to ensure that arbitration for the government contracts are being done in the country for proper understanding.
The ex-President gave the advice in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital, on Saturday during the launch of a book, entitled ‘Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in Nigeria’.
The book was written by King Collins Daniel, the Traditional Ruler of Abureni kingdom in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Jonathan explained that solving disputes outside the courtroom is short, less expensive and makes people more bound morally.
He said: “Let me use this unique opportunity to charge the bodies in this country that are responsible for either arbitration or resolving issues to work hard to ensure that arbitrations are done in Nigeria.
“Because of all the contracts the Nigeria government entered with international organisations, arbitration are always done in the United Kingdom. Can’t we do some of these arbitrations in Nigeria?
“I don’t know why it must be the United Kingdom — outside Nigeria. I think we need to work hard so that some of these things will be done here in Nigeria.
“As non-lawyers, we look at issues of resolving disputes in two different ways. The one that takes place in the courtroom and the one that takes place outside the courtroom.
“We think that society is so complex. Going to the court for judges to settle all our disputes don’t solve our problems, because judges decide based on the facts presented to them, that is why people still get back home and start fighting, especially issues like land and chieftaincy cases.
“So, I believe solving disputes outside the courtroom will be a better and shorter way than going through court processes.”
The author of the book and Olila-Ebhugh of Abureni kingdom, King Collins Daniel, said he used his experience as a legal practitioner, law teacher and a traditional ruler to write the book in order to help the society on how to resolve issues properly and permanently.
According to him, dispute resolution is key because in every society where there is more than one person, there is bound to be dispute.
He said the way the dispute is resolved to the satisfaction of every party brings lasting peace in the society.
In his speech, the Obanobhan (Paramount Ruler) of Ogbia Kingdom, King Charles Owaba, said that the traditional institution is the arbitration and dispute resolution in Nigeria.
He commended the author for putting pen and book together to come up with such works which encourages the settlement of dispute without the court.