Edo Citizens’ Mediation Centre Handles 634 Cases, Offers Free, Cost-effective Justice - Attorney General Osagie

 

                    Osagie 

Hendrix Oliomogbe 

A total of 634 civil matters have been received and attended to by the Edo State Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) since it was established, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie has disclosed.

Osagie spoke at a media briefing on the activities and achievements of CMC and the Citizens Rights Department (CRD) established by the state government to offer free and cost-effective justice as well as significantly reduce the financial burden of legal disputes on citizens.

The Commissioner for Justice said Governor Monday Okpebholo is committed to strengthening the justice system and ensuring that the ministry serves not only as a prosecutorial agency of government but also as an institution that fosters social harmony, peace, and quick access to justice for all Edo people. 

He said that an impressive 70% of cases, including inheritance conflicts, matrimonial cases, employer-employee disagreements, landlord-tenant issues, property disputes, inter-communal clashes, and matters involving government have been resolved amicably, preventing unnecessary litigations.

He noted that CMC and CRD are part of the Okpebholo-led administration's broader justice sector reform with the aim of resolving disputes.

Osagie said the CRD is open to all Edo residents, especially those who cannot afford legal representation with a unit located at the Ministry of Justice in Benin City. 

He said the state government recognizes the need for a more accessible, cost-effective, and timely means of resolving disputes hence the  established the CMC as part of its broader justice system reforms.

According to Osagie, even the most complex cases were being handled by the Centre and providing free and cost-effective justice, noting that as key pillars in the state justice sector reforms, legal services at the centre were at no cost.

The attorney general said: "Mediation at CMC is completely free, significantly reducing the financial burden of legal disputes on our citizens. By saving both time and resources, we have enhanced access to justice for the marginalized and indigent, making the CMC a cornerstone of people-centered governance."

He noted that the centre was created to serve as a platform for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), offering free mediation services to indigent and vulnerable citizens who may otherwise struggle to navigate the formal justice system. 

Osagie continued: "The vision of the centre is simple but profound. A peaceful Edo State sustained by the harmonious coexistence of her residents. CMC has diligently pursued its mission of fostering a culture of conflict resolution among citizens. Through its operations, the centre has facilitated quick and amicable resolutions of disputes, thereby reducing the backlog of cases in our courts and mitigating potential social unrest. "

He noted that mediation at the CMC is informal and confidential, providing disputing parties with a safe space to discuss their grievances openly, adding that the process fosters trust, better communication, and long-lasting resolutions.