Judiciary Must Make Litigation Process Less Stressful – Bukola Saraki

The President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, has charged the judiciary to make litigation process in the country less cumbersome in the country.

Saraki made the call at a public hearing on four Bills organised by Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters at the National Assembly Complex on Monday in Abuja.

Represented by Chairman, Senate Committee on Information Sen. Suleiman Adokwe, he said that making litigation process less cumbersome would guarantee the swiftness of getting dispute resolution through arbitration and conciliation.

The four Bills are National Commission for Peace, Reconciliation and Mediation, Revised Laws of the Federation Bill 2017, Emergency Power Act 1966 Bill and Arbitration and Conciliation Bill.

“The National Commission for Peace Reconciliation Establishment Bill seeks to establish an administrative mechanism for creating unity and reconciliation which will go a long in dousing tension and violence in different parts of the country.

“It will also help in stemming the tide of disenchantment and secession against the Nigerian state.

“The second Bill seeks to address major shortfalls associated with the review and modification of the laws of the federation.

“The primary purpose of this Bill is to provide a legal framework for the periodic review, modification and publication of Acts of the National Assembly and other subsidiary legislations of Nigeria,’’ he said.

Saraki explained that the Emergency Power Act 1966 Bill sought to repeal the 1961 Act and provide for a legal framework for the declaration of the state-of-emergency in Nigeria either resulting from insurgency, arson or civil unrest.

“This Bill has nothing to do with removal of state governor and appointment of sole administrator during a state-of-emergency.

“Under the present constitutional arrangement as contained in the Constitution, an elected stakeholder can only be removed or cease to hold office by impeachment, resignation, permanent incapacitation or at the expiration of his tenure.

“Any attempt to remove a state governor under the guise of declaration of state-of-emergency will be undemocratic and unconstitutional.

“ The Arbitration and Conciliation Act – currently, arbitration has become the modern way of dispute resolution.

“It is important to treat our laws to update our structures in order not to be left behind by the international community,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman of the committee, Sen. Dr. David Umaru, had said that the public hearing was a platform to enrich the law making process as it afforded an opportunity for views of stakeholders.