A major push to reform the justice sector is underway in Bayelsa State, as stakeholders look for innovative ways to clear court backlogs and make legal remedies accessible to everyday citizens. At the second Multi-Door Courthouse Sensitization Conference in Yenagoa, top jurists and government officials converged to chat a critical shift: moving away from endless courtroom litigation and toward a system that puts people first.
The second Bayelsa Multi-Door Courthouse Stakeholders Sensitization Conference opened with a clear focus: re-imagining how justice is delivered in the state. The gathering brought together eminent jurists, legal practitioners, and security agencies to tackle the growing complexities of the modern legal system.
Delivering the keynote, renowned legal scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Professor Dorothy Ufot, called for a complete re-tooling of the judiciary to ensure it reflects the highest ideals of fairness and inclusion.
The executive arm echoed this sentiment. Representing Governor Douye Diri, Deputy Governor Dr. Peter Akpe reaffirmed the state’s commitment to backing the judiciary, noting that alternative dispute resolution has become vital to the administration of justice.
For the judiciary, the reform is born out of necessity. The Chief Judge of Bayelsa State, Justice Matilda Abrakasa-Ayemieye, highlighted the intense pressure nationwide case congestion places on traditional courts.
Setting the tone for the event, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, King Collins Ebi Daniel, reminded participants that the core mission remains bringing resolution pathways closer to the community.
Alongside the core addresses, a panel session featuring seasoned legal experts and practitioners underscored a unified call for stronger partnerships among the bar, the bench, and security agencies to fully expand alternative dispute resolution across Bayelsa State.
