Director Dorcas Daniel lauds community’s “pro-ADR” stance as officials move to professionalize traditional mediation through the Sulhu Door
The Director of the Kaduna State Multi-Door Courthouse (KDMDC), Dorcas Levy Daniel, led a high-powered delegation to the Rigasa community this week for a strategic sensitization visit to the palace of the District Head of Rigasa, Dangaladiman Zazzau, Arc. Muhammad Idris. The visit, described by the Director as "very warm and cordial," aimed to strengthen the synergy between the formal justice system and traditional mediation.
Following the interaction, Director Dorcas Daniel lauded the district leadership for being "pro-ADR" (Alternative Dispute Resolution) and acknowledged the significant volume of cases already being settled within the community.
During the visit, officials provided an in-depth explanation of the "Multi-Door" system, which offers various pathways—such as Mediation, Arbitration, and the culturally significant "Sulhu Door"—to resolve legal conflicts without the need for traditional courtroom litigation.
The Dangaladiman Zazzau, Arc. Muhammad Idris, confirmed the community's reliance on these methods, noting that approximately 50% to 60% of disputes in the district are currently resolved through reconciliation. "We have welcomed them with open arms," Arc. Idris stated. "This agency provides the enlightenment we need to better conduct our work and ensures our people are properly educated on the implementation of Sulhu in this area."
A major highlight of the engagement was the proposal for formal collaboration and professional development. Director Dorcas Daniel emphasized that the KDMDC is prepared to offer specialized training to the district’s traditional leaders to enhance their dispute resolution skills. "The objective of this outing has been achieved," Director Daniel noted.
"We have spoken about areas of collaboration and training in particular, so that they will be more versed in dispute resolution, particularly the Sulhu Door."
By providing these traditional mediators with modern ADR training, the KDMDC seeks to ensure that the resolutions reached at the district level are both legally robust and professionally handled.
The session, which included various village heads and community organization leaders, concluded with a call to action from Arc. Idris. He urged the Rigasa community to offer their full support to the KDMDC, emphasizing that the referral of cases to the Multi-Door Courthouse will ensure more amicable and lasting resolutions for all parties involved.
The partnership represents a significant step forward in the Kaduna State Judiciary's efforts to make justice more accessible, efficient, and culturally relevant for its citizens.
"We are hoping the KDMDC will work with them... so they can refer cases to the Multi-Door Courthouse for amicable resolution." — Dorcas Levy Daniel, Director, KDMDC