Lagos State records 22,389 divorce, tenancy disputes in 12 months

Vanguard reports that divorce cases and landlords against tenants disputes, came top in a total of 22,389 issues recorded and resolved this year alone by the Citizens Mediation Centre, CMC in Lagos State. Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

Also recorded were issues involving employee/employers, funds disputes and others.

Vanguard reports that the statistics was disclosed yesterday by Director of Citizens Mediation Centre, CMC, Mrs. Toyin Odusanya at the Public Advice Centre, PAC, advisory day tagged ‘legal clinic’, held in Ikeja.

The Director, who was represented by Mr Rotimi Odutola, noted that some of the issues were handed over to the agency by courts that realized that legal proceedings would prolong them.

Odusanya said that all the issues have been resolved through the agency, saying: “this has helped to allow the magistrate and judges in the state to attend to critical issues and save cost for the parties.”

She said the agency which started as complaints centre in 1999 has been providing free Alternative Dispute Resolutions, ADR, to issues involving residents of the state, adding that residents are free to approach the centre on any kind of disputes.

Vanguard gathered last year that a total of 34, 511 cases were received; 20, 966 were mediated on but only 19, 464 were resolved. Also, 3, 622 matters were adjourned while 1, 351 others were unresolved.

According to Vanguard, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, speaking earlier, urged residents to take advantage of government’s initiative of providing citizens with easy access to information and advises on a wide range of issues.

Read more: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/lagos-records-22389-divorce-tenancy-disputes-12-months/