‘It takes 22 years to conclude case up to Supreme Court’

• Oyo moves for alternative dispute resolution
On the average, it takes 22 years to conclude a case up to the Supreme Court, while it is not uncommon for cases to take between five and 10 years for judgments to be entered in High Courts.

This was disclosed by the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Moktar Abimbola, while inaugurating the state’s Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Justice Abimbola quoted an argument by a school of thought that says disputes or differences in opinions are ingredients or raw materials necessary in bringing about sustainable development and improvement in the society. He is, however, of the opinion that disputes only bring about sustainable growth and development if well managed.

While tracing the evolution of conflict resolution to the period when they were settled through barbaric means, like physical combat and violent actions, the chief judge said even these did not achieve finality in terms of settlement, because the vanquished always sought revenge.

‘’However, with the emergence of the concept of nation-state, authority was placed in certain people to make binding decisions in any dispute that may arise as a result of the usual human interactions among the inhabitants of the states. This is the process of litigation,’’ the CJ said.

Justice Abimbola added that with the economic, social and political developments in the society, these days, some disputes are generally confidential in nature.

‘ ‘As such, the disputants will rather wish to settle their differences in private, than in full glare of public proceedings. It is well known that commercial men and women are, by nature and practice, in a hurry when disputes arise in their business,’’ he said.

The Oyo CJ proffered ADR as an alternative to tedious, expensive and time-consuming methods of settling disputes, which he said made the state judiciary to put the committee in place for its people to co-exist better.

The committee is headed by Justice Solomon Akintewe (chairman). Other members are Justice Eni Esan, Justice Kamorudeen Olawoyin, Mrs. Funmi Roberts, Mr. Seun Abimbola, Mr. David Ojo, Mr. Ayo Folajuwon, Mrs. Abimbola Olatunji-Danile, Mrs. Safiya Oyediran, Mr. Laide Amzat and Mrs. R. Ebeloku-Mustapha.

In his remarks, the chairman of the committee, Justice Akintewe,
thanked the chief judge for his confidence in him, saying he was
impressed with the array of professionals selected on the committee. ‘‘You can consider the job done, already, sir,’’ he said.