Ibidapo-Obe seeks revival of traditional methods in conflict management

The president and chairman of the governing council of the Institute of Alternative Dispute Resolution Development and Conflict Management of Nigeria (i-ADRNigera), Prof Akin Ibidapo-Obe has said that traditional methods of resolving disputes need to be revisited and resuscitated to broaden the scope of ADR and conflict management.

He said African societies invented informal dispute resolution through their in-built traditional institutions.

Ibidapo-Obe made this known at the weekend during the inauguration of the Institute and accreditation of council members, held at Victoria Island, Lagos.

He said the I-ADRNigeria was established for the resolution of a broad spectrum of disputes arising from commercial, industrial, and corporate transactions and community interactions.

He noted that fewer than 10 per cent of Nigerian universities and other institutions teach mandatory courses in ADR and Conflict Management, hence the need for institutions like i-ADRNigeria to fill the gap and mainstream vital disciplines.

The event was chaired by Mr Olatunde Busari who urged the Institute to create a template that its members will build on.

He tasked the inductees to embrace integrity and have impeccable character.

“As an arbitrator, we must continue to thrive. We must be neutral, independent of bias and maintain the trust. It is easy for people to come, but it must be handled by people of impeccable character.

“My admonition to all the members here is that at any cost, you must tell the truth as an arbitrator.”

“No matter how attractive it sounds, you must disclose your closeness when you are appointed as an arbitrator in your friend’s matter because integrity is paramount.

“You should be able to walk away in the interest of justice and if you disclose and are asked to arbitrate, you must be truthful,” he charged.

He also urged the leaders to embrace and establish iADR rules.

The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the I-ADR Development and Conflict Management of Nigeria, Mrs Chinyere Onuorah said the Institute believes in continuous learning, professionalism and excellence.

She noted that the Institute will collaborate with stakeholders and build relationships across other institutions, whether state or international corporate bodies.

Among the inductees are a retired Lagos High Court Judge, Sherifat Sholebo and some of the serving judges in Lagos and Ogun, including the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu.

Others include traditional rulers, among whom are HRM, Dr Michael Odunayo Arowotawaya 11, King of Erimo kingdom, Law Lecturers from the Universities of Lagos, Enugu, Anambra, Ife and others from Regent College London, as well as Dean of faculties from various universities.

Earlier, a lecturer in the Department of Jurisprudence and International Law, UNILAG, Prof Hakeem Olaniyan, said the cost of executing court judgment is also expensive, adding that even after judgment, a recalcitrant judgment debtor can be a pain in the neck of a judgment creditor.

Olaniyan noted that there is no civil dispute that cannot be better settled through ADR.