By Adeyinka Adeniran
Concerned by the needless troubles individuals and groups subject themselves to in their bid to have disputes settled, especially through the law court, the Bishop of Ibadan North Diocese, Rt. Reverend Williams Aladekugbe has set up Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee for the Diocese.
The ADR Committee of the Diocese, he said, will be saddled with the responsibility of settling disputes arising from individuals, Churches within the Diocese or between sister Dioceses.
The gave the hint in his Presidential Address at the 3rd Session of the 9th Synod of the Ibadan North Anglican Diocese held at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Yemetu Ibadan.
Additionally, who is the Archbishop of Ibadan Ecclesiastical Province said the Committee will look into any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the administration of the Diocese, Archdeaconries or parishes, even individual relationship matters without recourse to litigation.
He cautioned that instituting court cases should be the last resort, especially when all possible reconciliatory approaches have been fully explored and the Bishop has been duly notified.
However, the Bishop, stressed that the Alternative Dispute Resolution is not an shall not assume the trappings of the Court of Law o Ecclesiastical Court as the case may be.
While Sir Chief Hon. Bart. Oyewale Akinrinade will serve as the Chairman of the Committee, Evang. Funmi Akosile will serve as the Secretary.
Others to serve as members of the Committee include: Barr. Laolu Oyelakin, The Provost of the Cathedral and Chief Kunmi Idowu.
He maintained that the Committee aligns with Biblical principle of seeking peace which the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) also made constitutional provisions for .
Aladekugbe said, “Bible encourages Christians to always make peace and live in harmony. It is in recognition of this that the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) makes a constitutional provisions for it in the Constitution and Canons of the Church 2020 Chapter XVII Subsection 83. This also reflects in the Constitution of Ibadan North.
“Alternative Dispute Resolution is the different ways people may resolve disputes apart from court trials. We have resolved to put up an Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee in the Diocese that will be saddled with the responsibility of settling disputes arising from individuals, Churches within the Diocese or between sister Dioceses.
“Look into any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to the administration of the Diocese, Archdeaconries or parishes, even individual relationship matters without recourse to litigation.
“Instituting court cases should be the last resort and the is when all possible reconciliatory approaches have been fully explored and the Bishop has been duly notified Please note that Alternative Dispute Resolution is not an shall not assume the trappings of the Court of Law o Ecclesiastical Court as the case may be.
“The members are: Sir Chief Hon. Bart. Oyewale Akinrinade (Chairman), Barr. Laolu Oyelakin (Member), The Provost of the Cathedral (Member), Chief Kunmi Idowu (member) and Evang. Funmi Akosile as Secretary.”
