Unlocking Justice: UNDP's Transformative Impact in Katsina's Multidoor Courthouse – Bridging Gaps, Empowering Communities

February 6, 2024

Adequate and timely access to justice has been a longstanding challenge, not only at the national level but also within local communities. The Northwest region of Nigeria has grappled with insecurity and conflict for the last decade, impacting families and hindering their ability to access justice, particularly for women.

UNDP Nigeria through the implementation of the Peacebuilding Fund project in Katsina and Kaduna States has been working with the state governments to strengthen governance infrastructures to ultimately ensure peace and stability across communities while bringing them closer to the justice system.

A notable example is the Multidoor courthouse in Katsina State, exemplifying a traditional mechanism for providing access to justice. This courthouse specifically addresses local disputes within communities and facilitates conflict resolution between parties. UNDP has played a crucial role in supporting and enhancing the effectiveness of this local justice initiative.

Mama Nana Fidausi Aliyu, who lost her husband in 2017, found herself facing eviction when her husband's younger brother insisted on selling their family home. Despite her pleas to the family, her situation seemed dire, and the urgency of relocation with her eight children loomed large.

"I found myself in a state of confusion as I had nowhere to go, and the prospect of relocating with my eight children immediately was challenging. I pleaded with my late husband’s family to grant me time to organize my affairs or even provide ample time to raise funds to buy the house myself. Despite my pleas, they insisted on selling the house without considering how it would impact me and my children," narrates Nana.

During this challenging time, Mama Nana discovered the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) center, a unique approach to justice that combines traditional court systems with cultural dispute resolution methods. Through UNDP's partnership with the Katsina State government, efforts were intensified to enhance the infrastructure for peace through the Multidoor courthouse, extending its reach to community conflict resolution centers via digitalization, sensitization, and comprehensive training for justice sector professionals.

Mediators brought together myself and my husband's brothers, and within 48 hours, we reached a resolution. The agreement reached allowed me ample time until 2024 to purchase the house. Both parties are satisfied with the arrangement." Nana expressed with a smile on her face.

Mama Nana expressed her gratitude to ADR and the Multidoor courthouse for their invaluable intervention. She also thanked UNDP for ensuring that due processes were followed.

Chief Justice Danladi Musa Abubakar of Katsina High court

UNDP has played a crucial role in these remarkable achievements. One significant advancement the state has experienced is the transformation of our system by UNDP, which involves providing infrastructure and revolutionizing our approach through the provision of gadgets and all necessary resources, facilitating our transition to virtual conflict resolution stages.

The Community Conflict Dispute Resolution Centre has managed a higher caseload in one year than the traditional court has handled in five (5) years, and this achievement is entirely attributed to the support provided by UNDP, emphasized by Justice Danladi Musa Abubakar, (Chief Judge of the Katsina State High Court).

Meet Mama Mariam Aliyu and her daughter, who faced the perilous prospect of losing their life savings due to unreasonable demands from her daughter's former husband.

My daughter got married in 2020 but unfortunately, just a year later, she went through a divorce. Her ex-husband then demanded that we reimburse him for all expenses incurred during the marriage and insisted that we return every piece of property he had given us. We complied with his requests. However, this wasn't the end of it; he continued to make frequent additional demands for money. This situation became a growing concern, affecting not only my daughter but also myself. I felt confused and overwhelmed, with no one to turn to for assistance. This was a deeply personal and family issue that needed resolution." Mama Mariam laments

Seeking resolution, Mama Mariam and her daughter initially turned to the high court, only to be directed to the Multidoor courthouse. On November 28, 2023, they attended a session where both parties were present, and mediators facilitated the proceedings. Mama Mariam was pleasantly surprised by the level of organization and professionalism exhibited by the Multidoor courthouse. Despite its courtroom-like atmosphere, they were given the freedom to express themselves as women.

When I initially visited the high court, I was taken aback to learn that we were being referred to the Multidoor courthouse. Subsequently, on November 28, 2023, my daughter and I visited the Multidoor courthouse, where both parties were summoned, and mediators were present. I was pleasantly surprised by their coordination and professionalism. They diligently documented our case, and assigned us a case number, creating an environment that felt like a courtroom

Within a mere 48 hours, our case found resolution, and he reimbursed all damages, including a sum of 50,000 Naira. I am immensely happy and grateful to the multidoor courthouse and the UNDP for their effective dispute resolution process. Thank you so much." Mama Mariam joyfully expresses.

One of the objectives of the PBF project is to provide rural communities with access to justice and promote alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. UNDP contributed resources to develop a framework for these centers, emphasizing a gender-sensitive approach to alternative dispute resolution. Through the PBF project, the legal frameworks have been strengthened and enhanced by ensuring efficiency of the justice system by encouraging amicable dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration, or negotiation, thus relieving the traditional court system.

Barr. Basira Umar, Director Multi door Courthouse Katsina

UNDP has also contributed immensely to our main goal and objectives, e.g., through sensitizations to the public. These awareness campaigns have enhanced awareness about the centers among the people of Katsina. As reflected in our 2023 statistics, the CCDRC has effectively filed over 1600 cases and has resolved more than 1000 of them amicably, and with the support provided by UNDP, the services and access are free.

Mansur Dahiru faced the imminent loss of his family house due to a long-standing dispute and disagreement concerning proper drainage. His residence served as a conduit for sewage water from more than seven neighboring houses, leading to structural issues that persisted for over a decade. Despite Mansur's attempts to engage in discussions with the tenants of the other houses, all efforts failed, putting his home at the brink of collapse.

“In an effort to address the problem, I took it upon myself to block the water from flowing through my house. However, this action sparked conflicts in the neighborhood, resulting in numerous quarrels and insults. Realizing that such confrontational approaches were unlikely to resolve the issue, I sought alternative solutions, Mansur narrates.

Having heard about the Multidoor court and its successful interventions, I decided to give it a try. The proceedings, from filing to the invitation of tenants, were impressive. A mutually agreed-upon date was set, and the Multidoor court facilitated a resolution. Staff from the court visited my house to assess the situation and propose a solution to the sewage flow. Clear drainage plans were devised for each house, and a consensus was reached amicably. Mansur happily expresses.

The goal of the Multidoor Court is to strengthen the legal framework and enhance the efficiency of the justice system in the communities by encouraging amicable dispute resolution through mediation, arbitration, or negotiation, thus relieving the traditional court system.

Partnerships and Cross-Learning Opportunities

This initiative has fostered collaboration and partnerships among neighboring states in the region, with states increasingly recognizing the benefits and transformative impact of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms implemented through the Community Conflict Dispute centers (CCDRC) established in Katsina State.

“States like Maiduguri, Kaduna, Yobe and Kebbi are beginning to adopt cross-learning from Katsina’s ADR model of practice,” a stakeholder noted.

“Through the ADR system, the workload on conventional courts has significantly decreased. Cases that might take over two years in court are being resolved within two weeks through this system, including commercial disputes. I recommend the ADR approach because it is faster, more accessible, and formally recognized by the judiciary. A recent monitoring and evaluation exercise revealed that one ADR center achieved a remarkable 90% success rate in resolving complaints and disputes.” Chief Justice Danladi Musa Abubakar of Katsina High court narrates

Key Achievements

ADR centers have handled and resolved more cases within a short period than the entire justice system in the state typically manages. (4012 cases handled and resolved in the year 2024)
It has given access to many people who wouldn't have had access to justice
Over 12 ADR centres have so far been established in the State and more to be set up soon. (Target is) to have at least one center in all 34 LGAs of Katsina state
Police officers now refer domestic issues directly to ADR centers, enhancing collaboration between the centers and law enforcement.
The centers have introduced preventive and mitigation measures to address disputes and conflicts proactively. Notably, sales agreements issued by the ADR centers are now backed by legal recognition, also cases resolved by the ADR centers are signed and stamped by the chief Judge of the Multidoor court making it binding for parties to adhere to original agreements reached during their mediation conversations.
Access to Justice is increasingly on the rise as the traditional court now refers cases to the ADR.