We’re Rediscovering Native Method of Dispute Eesolution, says ADR Specialist

By Praise Chinecherem

A legal practitioner, Akachukwu Maduakolam has advocated for reassessment of the content of law curriculum in all universities in Nigeria.

He said the step has become necessary to address the challenge of having law graduates trained in litigation, but with little or no interest in alternative dispute.

Speaking during the 19th convocation ceremony of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Maduakolam, an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) specialist said making ADR compulsory in universities would increase number of lawyers with ADR bias.

He said, “Over the years, the legal profession, law, as a course is thought as a tool to help litigation. Lawyers are prepared from day one to explore litigations. They are trained for that.

“You may wish to know that ADR is offered in this university as alternative course, meaning that it’s not compulsory.

“All the other things we do here in the university in learning the law is compulsory. That tells you already that we’re going to get in a field where you’re going to be a lone voice in the wilderness. This is a challenge, but we’re ready for it.

“I’m thinking there’s need to rejig legal profession in Nigeria. There’s urgent need to reassess the content of law curriculum in all the universities because without doing that, we’ll continue to chunk out lawyers who are trained in litigation, with little or no interest in alternative dispute.”

Akachukwu who was conferred with Doctorate Degree, Philosophy, Doctor of Laws at the convocation ceremony, described the day as unique as it coincided with his wedding anniversary.

He added, “Today is my convocation, having successfully defended my doctoral thesis. The university therefore conferred on me Doctorate Degree, Philosophy, Doctor of Laws. The certificate I got today was not honorary, but purely on merit.

“It’s a very special and happy day for me because it coincided with our 9th Marriage Anniversary. Exactly this day, March 28, 2016, I wedded my beautiful wife. And for 9years, we’ve remained in love.”

Reacting on the reason for choice of discipline, he said, “The truth is that Alternative Dispute Resolution, which is the idea I did my consultation and specialized on is an emerging area being rediscovered as a very credible area of handling dispute.

“Of course, this system has been with us from time immemorial. Our forefathers used this informal methods and at intervals called on elders to resolve disputes.

“But over time, it was abandoned because everything local and native was seen as inferior, of course, that perception is wrong.

“But the good news is that we’re rediscovering that method of dispute resolution. We’re championing a course to accept that as first instance, one first point of call in resolving dispute.

“It does appear there’s wisdom in taking a dispute to the natives, those who know the parties as well as the disputes so they can resolve the disputes before being escalated to foreigner to intervene.

“But it appears that first level of intervention is very critical in engendering a society devoid of rancor or at least, less devoid.”

Asked if new status was an added advantage to his profession, Akachukwu said, “With the specialization in ADR, one becomes an authority, without sounding immodest.

“With that comes a higher responsibility, a call to do more, to ensure that whatever you’ve learnt is cascaded down to the grassroots so people will begin to appreciate the merits in exploring dispute resolution.

“But again, the PhD also positions us to answer the argument of those who think it’s not the way to go. That is one of the challenges I envisage going forward.”