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• Hands over pilot scheme to govt
From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
The Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) has handed over the Kad-Adalci Pilot Community Justice Centre to the Kaduna State Government, in a move aimed at bringing justice services closer to citizens and improving access to fair, affordable and timely dispute resolution.
The handover ceremony, held at the Justice Muhammadu Bello Bar Centre, Constitution Road, Kaduna, brought together the state judiciary, Ministry of Justice, government agencies, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations and other justice-sector stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Judge of Kaduna State High Court, Hon. Justice Amina A. Bello, said the initiative represented an important shift in the way justice is delivered, stressing that justice must be centred on the problems and needs of the people.
“Today is more than a formal handover. It is an important step in the way we think about and provide justice in Kaduna State,” she said.
Justice Bello explained that not every dispute needed to begin in court, noting that issues involving families, neighbours or small businesses could often be resolved through mediation, negotiation or referrals to the appropriate government agency.
“Where can I go for help? That is the simple question citizens often ask when faced with a dispute. Providing an answer to it is at the heart of what Kad-Adalci Pilot Community Justice Centre is set to do,” she explained.
According to her, the community justice centres would provide citizens with a first point of contact, where they could explain their problems, understand their options and receive guidance on the appropriate course of action.
“If the matter belongs in court, the person can be directed there. If mediation is more appropriate, the person can be guided accordingly. If another government institution or specialised service is responsible for the matter, the person should be referred there,” she said.
The Chief Judge stressed that Kad-Adalci was not a replacement for the courts but a mechanism designed to support the formal justice system by resolving suitable disputes before they become complex litigation.
“Justice should not be a maze that people must understand before they can find help. The system should help people find their way,” she said.
She added that information gathered through the centres could help the judiciary and government understand recurring community disputes, identify emerging problems and make better decisions about the allocation of justice-sector resources.
Justice Bello commended HiiL and the various institutions that participated in the Kaduna Justice Innovation Lab, saying the initiative was developed with the involvement of Kaduna’s justice institutions and communities rather than simply imported from elsewhere.
She also praised the Kaduna State Government for providing facilities for the pilot centres in three local government areas, saying the gesture demonstrated government ownership of the initiative.
“The real test begins from today,” she said, urging the state and its partners to ensure the sustainability of Kad-Adalci.
Also speaking, the Kaduna State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Sir James Kanyip, who received the handing over documents on behalf of the state government, described access to justice as a fundamental right that should be available to every citizen.
“Access to justice is not a privilege reserved for the few who can navigate our courts with ease. It is a fundamental right that must reach every community, every household, and every citizen, regardless of status or location,” Kanyip said.
He said Kad-Adalci was conceived through collaboration between government institutions, civil society organisations, traditional and religious institutions and other stakeholders, in line with the justice reform agenda of Governor Uba Sani.
Kanyip commended HiiL for its partnership and investment in the pilot, saying what started as an effort to strengthen referral pathways and community awareness had developed into a promising model for Kaduna State.
Earlier, HiiL Country Representative in Nigeria, Ijeoma Nwafor, described the handover as more than the transfer of a project, calling on residents to actively support justice initiatives within their communities.
“Today’s ceremony is not only about a handover. It is a call to every citizen of Kaduna State to become an active advocate of justice in our communities,” Nwafor said.
She noted that the Community Justice Centres had demonstrated that bringing justice closer to citizens could prevent disputes from escalating into prolonged conflicts.
