President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benedit kanyip says alternative dispute resolution is a policythrust aimed at shortening trial time in court, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He made this statement at the commencement of the 2020/ 2021 legal year of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria
The recent timely judicial intervention of the National Industrial Court in industrial disputes all over the court justifies its creation as a special court.
In its 42 years of existence it is the only court constitutionally enjoined to apply international best practices in labor as well as treaties, conventions, protocol and recommendations on labor ratified by Nigeria, when adjudicating.
Section 254C(3) of the 1999 constitution permits the establishment an alternative dispute resolution center within the court premises on matters which jurisdiction is conferred on it by the constitution or Act as done by the Industrial court.
The ADR center within the premises of the Industrial Court has no powers of arbitration .
The President of the National Industrial Court says arbitration is only added when dealing with individual employment and labor disputes.
The chairman of the body of senior Advocates of Nigeria, is represented by Adegboyega Awomoloat this event.
He is worried that in recent times, the process of appointment of judicial officers at all levels have manifested an outright disregard for the principle of separation of powers and independence of the judiciary.
He insists that the right of the National Judicial Council to make the final decision on who should be appointed chief judges have been serially obstructed and compromised by the State houses of Assembly and executive
governors of States.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic many new cases could not be filed by litigants given its protocol.
The rules and digitalization committee set up by the court is currently working on amending the rules of the court to ensure speedy adjudication.
