Ondo Chief Judge, CP Lawal advocate more awareness for Multi-Door Court Operations, as CJ okays Center in Ore
By Steve Ovirih.
The Chief Judge of Ondo State, Hon.Justice Aiyedun Olusegun Odusola has thrown his weight behind taking the operations of the Ondo Multi-door Courthouse to the grassroots of the state. Justice Odusola’s support for the Operations of the Ondo Multi-door Courthouse was expressed at a Stakeholders’ Town Hall Engagement held in Ore on Friday, 10th April,2026.
The Stakeholders’ engagement was organized by the Ondo Multi-door Courthouse under the State Judiciary.
- In his key note address, Ondo State Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola canvassed awareness among the people for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) which the Multi-door Courthouse offers on a platter of gold, noting that Justice should never be construed as confined to the four walls of a courtroom , rather it is a service that needs to be actively delivered to every corner of the society.He said the Ondo Multi-door Courthouse is a convergence of minds dedicated to the monumental course of ensuring that justice is accessible to all. “Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is an approach that aims to redefine justice, making it a service rather than just destination.
” Alternative Dispute Resolution which operates through Multi -door Courthouse broadens access to justice and this clearly indicates that Justice should never be construed as confined to the four walls of the courtroom ; rather it is a service that needs to be actively delivered to every corner of the society.
” The traditional litigation system has often been seen as inaccessible and intimidating and this perception prevents individuals from seeking redress thereby breeding a culture of impunity and fostering a disconnect between the people and the Justice system,” Justice Odusola indicated.
While further making case for the operation of the Multi-door Courthouse, the Ondo State Chief Judge noted that the concept of viewing Justice as a service requires an intentional shift in approach, stressing that legal mechanism should not be seen as the last resort rather an integrated aspect of community wellbeing. “To achieve this, we must engage methods that lower barrier for the public, ensuring that everyone knows their right and understand the pathway to them to seek redress,” Justice Odusola stated.
He added that the Multi-door Courthouse is crucial for establishing trust and confidence in the justice system. “In this regard, the Ondo State Multi-door Courthouse serves as a paragon of accessible justice through its facilities and various conflict resolution mechanism such as mediation and arbitration. We must all realize that not all matters require a judicial intervention in a courtroom. Thus the Multi-door policy offers a multiple partway or doors for resolution that are time efficient, less costly and more conducive to preserving relationship between disputing parties,” Justice Odusola maintained.
He said there is need to rally support for the enhancement of Ondo State Multi -door Courthouse across Ondo State to ensure that it is well resourced, patronized and celebrated within the Judicial system.
In his address at the Stakeholders’ engagement, Ondo State Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal thanked the organizer of the programme while noting that the multi door approach provides an enabling environment for people to mediate. He said a major challenge to the Police force is solving criminal matters particularly as suspects who get remanded after court hearing are returned to the Police for lack of space at the remand and custodial centers, yet at the Police holdings there are already more than enough suspects and they must not escape. He added that it is important for parties to dispute to realize the necessity of keying into mediation as a medium of solving disputes.
CP.Lawal assured that the Ondo State Police Command will assist this lofty idea at conflict resolution, charging the state government to provide the wherewithal to make the idea work.
Earlier, the Director -General, Ondo Multi-door Courthouse, Dr.Dickson Omotuyole Ogunfuyi, in his welcome address noted that the Courthouse was established with a clear and progressive vision : to provide accessible, efficient , cost effective and timely ways to resolve dispute outside the conventional courtroom setting. He said, ” in a world where time is precious and relationship matters , Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, offers a pathway not only to resolve conflicts but to preserve harmony, dignity and mutual respect. This forum is part of our strategic effort to expand ADR services to other judicial Division across Ondo State.”
On the reason for the choice of Ore, Dr.Ogunfuyi added, “we are particularly delighted to commence this engagement in Ore, a vibrant commercial hub, a blend of cultures and a strategic gateway within our dear state.
He maintained that the choice of Ore is deliberate as it reflects Ondo Multi-door Courthouse’ dedication to bringing justice closer to the people.
Among the key note speakers were Hon.Justice Akinwumi and Hon.Justice ( Prof) Alero Akeredolu.
In her reaction to participants’ inquiry during the engagement.Hon Justice (Prof) Alero Akeredolu noted that matters of cooperative disputes, landlord/tenants squabbles and other sundry matters that do not necessarily need to be litigated on in the regular Court can be solved at the Multi door courthouse even with parties to dispute having to maintain their cordiality afterwards, stressing that focus is more on mediation , negotiation and conciliation with the resolution of the courthouse carrying the full weight of the law after being endorsed by parties to dispute.She assured that while it brings Justice closer to the people, it strengthens relationship and has legal enforcement.
In his consideration of the warmth and acceptance of the idea of the Multi-door Courthouse by the participants during the engagement, the Chief Judge of Ondo State, Hon.Justice Odusola okayed the establishment of a center in Ore, Odigbo Local Government.
The Director -General, Dr .Ogunfuyi in a chat with thepolity.net on the fringe of the event said while litigation is okay, the Judicial system cannot encourage the piling up of cases in the courtroom while a good number of such cases can be taken care of at the multi door courthouse.He said the people simply need to be aware of the cost effectiveness of the center and they will realize that in the Multi-door Courthouse parties to dispute can return from mediation and still maintain mutual relationship.
The Orunja of Odigbo, Oba Rufus Olugboyega Akinrinmade appreciated the Judiciary for its effort at bringing justice closer to the people. The monarch assured Ondo Multi-door Courthouse of all necessary support.
