The Hon. President of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Benedict Kanyip, Ph.D. FNIALS played host to the delegation of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) on Thursday 3rd February 2022.
The president of the Institute, Dr. Agada John Elachi commended the Court as one of the foremost courts in Nigeria to have court hearings online, electronic hearing notices with the timely uploading of rulings and judgments. He added that the digital processes and tools deployed in recent times have helped to fast-track the speedy resolution of disputes.
The Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators (ICMC) is the professional body of practitioners in Nigeria that regulates and sets standards for the practice of Mediation and Conciliation and encourages organizations and institutions to adopt Mediation and Conciliation as the primary mechanisms for addressing disputes.
Dr. Agada announced that the Institute will be launching an Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Platform for E-Mediation and other related practices on the 31st day of March 2022.
While extending hands of partnership to the Hon. President on the creation of awareness for the Court ADR Centre, Dr. Agada said the platform is geared towards making its services much more accessible to members of the public and to serve as a one-stop-shop for ADR practitioners, conflict managers, and students.
He also made a case for the practice direction of the Court ADR centre to be amended to allow for walk-in cases and the registration of settlements from mediation processes that were conducted outside the auspices of the NICN ADR centre.
Chief (Dr.) Paddy Njoku presented copies of the ICMC Strategic Action Plan and the ICMC Story to the President of the court on behalf of the delegation.
The delegation comprised of the past president, Chief Paddy Njoku; Immediate past president, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN;Â immediate past 1ST vice president, Mrs. Margaret Nwagbo; Â immediate past registrar, Amb. Segun Ogunyanwo; current deputy registrar, Mr. Babatunde Oyefeso; vice President Exams and Records, Dr. Adeola Adams; and distinguished fellows of the institute, Yakubu C. Maikyau, SAN; Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN; Mrs. A. Adeshina, SAN; Head of training of the Institute, Mercy Akpor, and Secretary Abuja Branch of the Institute, Adamma Isamade.
