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The US Mission in Nigeria announced that it has commenced expansion of its visa services to assist non-immigrant visa applicants in Nigeria who qualify to renew their visa. It stated that this new application procedure will begin in February at the US Consulate in Lagos.

However, it was explained that the number of qualified applicants who can apply using the new procedures will be limited at this first phase and that the processing may take up to two months. The US Mission further disclosed that the application procedure will also be extended to the U.S. Embassy in Abuja at a later time.

The Chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, has called for the nomination of judges for appointment to the Supreme Court. Six Justices To Be Appointed *Two Slots Are Available For The South East, One For South-South, One For South-West, One For North Central And One For North West

In a letter addressed to all judicial officers in Nigeria, the CJN said it has become necessary to fill the vacant position caused by the death and retirement of justices.  The letter stated as follows You may recall that Hon. Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour retired from judicial service on 23 March 2021 on attaining the age of 70 years, in compliance with the provision of Section 291 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” the letter reads. Earlier on, Hon. Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta and Hon. Justice Samuel C. Oseji died on 7 March 2021 and 28 September 2021, respectively. Hon. Justice M.U. Peter Odili, Hon. Justice Ejembi Eko and Hon. Justice Abdu Aboki will also be retiring from judicial service in 2022 on attaining the age of 70 years, in compliance with the relevant provision of the constitution.

By: Emmanuel Adefeso (Esq)

In its bid to ensure an effective justice delivery system, the Edo State Judiciary has launched the Edo State Multi-Door Court website and the Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) platform in the state. The newly sworn-in Chief Judge of the state, Justice Joe Acha, who launched the platform, said that the website was designed to enhance economic development for the citizens of Edo State through ease and effective justice delivery.

Justice Acha stated further that the Online Dispute Resolution platform is suited for commercial disputes which disputants can use to clearly elucidate their interests giving the neutral, more lucid and speedier path to assisting them reach resolution and simultaneously enhancing contract enforcement in Edo state. Also speaking, the functioning Director, Edo State Multi-Door Court

(ESMDC), Mrs Osazemen Olubunmi Achebo said that the goal of the ESMDC was to serve as a vital complement to the existing litigation and justice delivery framework in the judiciary. Mrs. Achebo explained that the online dispute resolution was positioned to project and offer to the general public enhanced, timely, cost effective, and user friendly routes to justice.

Indeed alternative dispute resolution processes are quick, simple, inexpensive and technicality-free processes for the resolution of disputes. They operate side by side with the regular courts as alternatives to litigation because the introduction of multi-door courthouses has revolutionized alternative dispute resolution processes by integrating them into the regular court system. Under the Multi-Door Court House System, settlement agreements and awards reached through arbitration, conciliation and mediation are enforceable as judgments of the High Court. Therefore, the launch of the Edo State Multi-Door Court website and the official takeoff of its Online Dispute Resolution Platform are commendable as it will serve as a vital complement to the existing litigation and justice delivery framework in the judiciary. No doubt, the website will offer to the general public enhanced, timely, cost effective, and user friendly routes to justice, particularly, in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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