November 28, (THEWILL) — The Country Director of International Alert Nigeria, Dr Kingsley Udo, has raised concerns over the growing strain on justice institutions across the country, citing rising insecurity, slow judicial processes, and limited access to justice services as key challenges undermining stability.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ dialogue in Sokoto, Dr Udo stressed that strengthening the justice sector is essential for peace, stability, and restoring public confidence in the state.
“Effective justice systems help prevent disputes from escalating into violence or criminality”, he said.
Udo highlighted International Alert’s ongoing support to the Northwest states, noting that Zamfara’s Multidoor Courthouse Bill has reached its third reading, while Katsina State is receiving support for public awareness campaigns and training of traditional leaders on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).
According to him, the Multidoor Courthouse model offers faster, cheaper, and more accessible avenues for resolving disputes, easing the workload on conventional courts and broadening pathways for peaceful conflict resolution.
He reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to work closely with the Sokoto State Government to strengthen justice institutions, design conflict-sensitive policies, and build the capacity of state agencies to better address insecurity and governance challenges in the region.
Also speaking, the Programme Manager at International Alert Nigeria, Sunday Mommoh Jimoh, noted that the Northwest continues to grapple with heightened insecurity, making justice sector reforms even more urgent.
“When citizens can access justice promptly, fairly, and affordably, trust in the state improves. Grievances are resolved peacefully, and communities have alternatives to violence, retaliation, or criminal networks”, he said.
Jimoh added that the Multidoor Courthouse will provide community-friendly mechanisms for dispute resolution, reduce pressure on the courts, and address drivers of violence and criminality.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kasiru Kware, said the dialogue was timely, as lawmakers are working to expand access to justice and implement reforms that genuinely serve the people.
He affirmed the Assembly’s readiness to collaborate with International Alert and other partners to advance meaningful justice sector reforms in the state.
“We believe in the value of the Multidoor Courthouse model as a tool to ease court congestion, promote peaceful dispute resolution, and build public trust in the justice system”, he said.
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
