By Prosper Mene
Abeokuta, Ogun State
The Chief Judge of Ogun State, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, has unveiled a new multi-door courthouse in Abeokuta, a facility designed to decongest courts and provide faster, alternative ways to resolve disputes.
The multi-door courthouse model offers several “doors” to justice beyond traditional litigation. Cases can now be channeled into mediation, arbitration, conciliation, or other Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, mechanisms depending on what best fits the dispute. The goal is to reduce case backlogs and give citizens quicker, less costly outcomes.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, Justice Dipeolu said the courthouse reflects the judiciary’s commitment to reform and citizen-centered justice. “Not every disagreement needs to end in a courtroom battle. This facility gives parties options that are faster, confidential, and preserve relationships,” she noted.
Ogun State has seen rising civil and commercial cases in recent years. Court officials expect the new center to ease pressure on conventional courtrooms, especially for family, contract, land, and debt matters that are well suited to mediation.
Legal practitioners and civil society groups at the event welcomed the move. Many described it as a practical step toward modernizing justice delivery in the state. Parties with disputes will now be assessed at intake and guided to the most appropriate resolution path, with trained neutrals and court-annexed mediators on site.
With the multi-door courthouse now operational, Ogun joins other states leveraging ADR to make justice more accessible. For residents and businesses in the state, it means fewer delays, lower legal costs, and more control over how their cases are resolved.
