Edo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie
The Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Samson Osagie has said the state government is committed to strengthening the justice sector and ensuring that the Ministry of Justice 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 citizens in the state.
Osagie spoke during a media briefing on the activities and achievements of the Citizens’ Mediation Centre (CMC) and the Citizens Rights Department (CRD) established by the government and domiciled in the State Ministry of Justice to offer free and cost-effective justice as well as significantly reduce the financial burden of legal disputes on its citizens.
He said since its inception, the Centre has received and attended to 634 civil matters.
Those matters cover a range of disputes including inheritance conflicts, matrimonial cases, employer-employee disagreements, landlord-tenant issues, property disputes, inter-communal clashes, and matters involving government entities.
According to him, it has recorded 70 per cent amicable resolution of cases, preventing unnecessary litigations.
He noted that CMC and the CRD are part of the governor Monday Okpebholo-led administration’s broader justice sector reform that aims at resolving disputes amicably.
Osagie said the CRD is open to all Edo State residents, especially those who cannot afford legal representation with a unit located at the Ministry of Justice, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
“Mediation at the 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 marginalised and indigent, making the CMC a cornerstone of people-centred governance.
“To maintain high standards, the CMC has invested in the training and upskilling of its mediators. Formal training programmes and in-house refresher courses are taken to ensure that our mediators remain proficient in ADR,” he explained.
