Jonathan wants arbitration contracts between FG, international organisations done in Nigeria

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has faulted a situation where arbitrations for the contracts entered by the Federal Government with international organisations are always done in the United Kingdom.

He, therefore, charged the bodies responsible for arbitration or resolving disputes in the country to work hard to ensure arbitration for government contracts are done in the country for proper understanding.

Jonathan stated this yesterday in Yenagoa, during the launch of a book, titled: “Arbitration and Dispute Resolution in Nigeria,” written by King Collins Daniel, the Traditional Ruler of Abureni kingdom, Ogbia Local Council Area of the state.

Jonathan explained that solving dispute outside the courtroom is short, less expensive and make people more bounded morally.

According to him: “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 for all the contracts the Nigerian government entered with international organisations, arbitration is 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, why must it be 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, one that takes place in the courtroom and one that takes place outside the courtroom…” 

The author, King Daniel, said he used his experience as a legal practitioner, law teacher and a traditional ruler to write the book, in order to help society how resolve issues properly and permanently.

According to him, dispute resolution is key because in every society where there is more than one person, there are bound to be disputes and the way the disputes are resolved to the satisfaction of every party brings lasting peace to the society.

In his speech, King Charles Owaba, the Paramount Ruler of Ogbia Kingdom, said 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 work, to settle disputes without the court.