By: David Peter
The Cross River State acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Maurice Eneji, has inaugurated a four man mediation committee to investigate alleged domestic violence which recently trended the social media space involving a Judiciary staff and the son of a member of the Bench.
Inaugurating the committee chaired by Hon. Justice Anjor, the CJ opined that, it was in line with the judiciary’s role of ensuring peace and tranquillity in the judiciary’s work environment, thereby creating a conducive work environment for fair hearing of parties coming to the Courts to ventilate their grievances.
Justice Eneji further explained that since the reason for the alleged domestic violence has not been established, it behooves on the committee to hear from both parties and make recommendations on how best to resolve the reported issue, if the said report is established.
The Acting Chief Judge also observed that though the social media report for now, has been addressed to office in particular, it is pertinent that a mediation committee be set up to look into the issue and charged the parties to the dispute, to take advantage of the window offered them, by stating their grievances and suggestions for resolving the disputes amicably.
He advised the parties to come with their witnesses as the committee will be willing to hear from all of them.
Finally, the Acting CJ, Commended the NGOs, Press and the Public, for their understanding and co-operation, by stating thus: “I commend you for being sensitive to happening in our environment, it is your right. However, Let’s take everything with a pinch of salt until it is established. “Because right from the Bible times the law on fair hearing had been established and followed at the trial in the garden of Eden”.
He urged all to co-operate with the mediation committee and await their findings and recommendations for peaceful resolution of the dispute soonest.
