By George Ozalla
The Nasarawa State House of Assembly on Wednesday passed into second reading a bill seeking to establish the Nasarawa State Multi-Door Courthouse as part of broader efforts to expand access to justice and strengthen peaceful dispute resolution across the state.
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Dr. Danladi Jatau, announced the progression of the bill after its sponsor, Barr. Esson Mairiga, presented its general principles during plenary in Lafia. He said the proposed law would help tackle conflicts, small claims and related matters, thereby promoting peace, unity and socio-economic development. The Speaker referred the bill to the House Committee on Judiciary, to be chaired by the vice chairman of the committee, and directed the panel to report back on December 9, 2025.
Presenting the substance of the bill, Barr. Mairiga explained that the Multi-Door Courthouse would serve as a central hub for Alternative Dispute Resolution, designed to make justice more accessible, improve the ease of doing business and reduce pressure on conventional courts. He said the platform would help resolve disputes among families, business partners, associates and communities, noting that most disagreements could be settled amicably without prolonged litigation.
He added that the initiative would also address small claims and commercial disputes, promote social harmony and attract investors, ultimately creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities in the state.
Lawmakers including Hon. Luka Iliya Zhekaba, Dr. Hajarat Danyaro Ibrahim, Hon. Hudu A. Hudu, Hon. Musa Abubakar Ibrahim, Hon. Mohammed Adamu Omadefu, Hon. Solomon Akwashiki and Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara described the bill as timely and essential for strengthening peace and reducing the burden on formal courts. They commended Barr. Mairiga for initiating the legislation and pledged their support to ensure its passage.
The Majority Leader, Hon. Suleiman Yakubu Azara, moved the motion for the bill to scale second reading, which was seconded by the Minority Leader, Hon. Luka Iliya Zhekaba. The House unanimously endorsed the bill.
A background on the Multi-Door Courthouse model shows that it is an increasingly adopted framework across Nigerian states aimed at promoting mediation, arbitration and other non-adversarial mechanisms for resolving disputes quickly and at minimal cost.
