By Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
A conflict resolution centre, the Community Justice Centre (CJC), was flagged off in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Thursday.
The country representative for the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL), Mrs Ijeoma Nwafor, briefing newsmen at the ceremony, disclosed that the centre is designed to provide accessible, affordable, and people-centred justice services to residents across the state.
“The initiative is designed as a hybrid justice delivery model, combining a physical centre with an online platform to ensure broad access to justice support, dispute resolution and referral services.”
“It serves as a first point of contact for individuals facing justice challenges, offering alternative dispute resolution, legal information and referrals to specialised services such as legal aid, psychological support and medical services,” Nwafor explained.
She added that the CJC, which is partnered by the HiiL and the Nkemjika Development Foundation (NDF), will address domestic violence, family disputes, and land issues, which she noted have been major challenges in the state for quite some time.
Nwafor also acknowledged that some residents may encounter barriers to accessing justice, while some, she said, have justice needs that remain unmet due to varying personal definitions of justice, caused mostly by cost, complexity, or distance.
But she assured that through its innovative approach, the CJC will bring justice services closer to people and integrate existing support structures to enhance efficiency and impact, which she added will effectively bridge these gaps.