VZCZCXRO9855
RR RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOS #1412/01 3420648
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 080648Z DEC 06
FM AMCONSUL LAGOS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8258
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 8099

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 LAGOS 001412 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR AF/W 
STATE FOR INR/AA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM NI
SUBJECT: GROUP TO BRING US-STYLE ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE 
RESOLUTION TO NIGERIA 
 
 
¶1.  (SBU) Summary:  In an early November meeting with the 
Consul General, U.S. experts in alternative dispute 
resolution (ADR) outlined their plans to launch a new program 
in ADR and conflict resolution (CR) in partnership with 
Nigerian Law School and the Negotiation Conflict Management 
Group.  Efforts to promote ADR have the potential to counter 
Nigeria's current climate of "winner take all" politics and 
to enhance the rule of law as well as sanctity of contracts 
and political tolerance.  End summary. 
 
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U.S. ADR Experts Outline Their Plan 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  (U) In an early November meeting with the Consul General 
(CG), U.S. experts in alternative dispute resolution (ADR) 
outlined their plans to launch a program of ADR and conflict 
resolution (CR) in Nigeria.  The experts included:  Judge 
Alexander Williams III of the Superior Court of Los Angeles; 
Peter Robinson, Managing Director of the Institute of Dispute 
Resolution at the Pepperdine School of Law; Mahmoud Salhi, 
Assistant Professor of Law at California State-Dominguez 
Hills; and David Hosmer, Mediator. 
 
¶3.  (U) Robinson told the Consul General that Pepperdine 
University's ADR program is developing an international 
focus, with emphasis on Nigeria.  The program will 
concentrate on training mediators and delivering ADR/CR 
services in Nigeria.  Robinson said he was impressed with the 
ADR/CR Nigeria already has in place, and planned to visit 
additional programs during their trip. 
 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
Conflict Management Group May Be Nigerian Partner 
--------------------------------------------- ---- 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Group members told the CG they find impressive the 
efforts and motivation of the Negotiation Conflict Management 
Group's (NCMG) founder, Kehinde Aina, and of retired Supreme 
Court Justice Kayode Eso, Chairman of the NCMG.  Judge 
Williams also found the NCMG board distinguished and capable, 
and the overall quality of the lawyers strong.  The group 
noted the NCMG has already established a 5000 square foot 
building in Lagos devoted to the advancement of ADR/CR. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
Pepperdine-Nigerian Law School LLM Contemplated 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶5.  (U) The group wants to ensure that Nigerian lawyers are 
trained in ADR.  Judge Williams feels that going through 
Nigeria's law school, the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, to 
establish a program with the American Bar Association (ABA) 
and Pepperdine School of Law, would promote use of ADR in 
Nigeria. 
 
¶6.  (U) During the first year of the program, Robinson wants 
to hold four 2-week ADR classes in Lagos.  However, costs are 
high, and the program must be self-supporting, Robinson 
noted.  The group will explore ways to partner with Nigerian 
and U.S. businesses, and may approach the Nigerian government 
as well. 
 
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Problem-Solving Through Compromise 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶7.  (SBU) Judge Williams expressed concern that he had been 
asked to give a lecture to Nigerian judges entitled "ADR on 
the Bench, Promise or Threat?"  Williams said ADR is a tool 
to enhance judges' ability to resolve cases, not a threat. 
The Consul General told the group the title reflects the view 
that politics and law must be a zero-sum game.  ADR, built on 
compromise, provides a different framework for 
problem-solving in Nigeria, he said.  The current political 
situation has evolved because enough actors do not realize it 
is counterproductive to view everything through such a 
conflictual prism, the CG told the group. 
 
¶8.  (SBU) Responding to a question from our guests about the 
role of lawyers in promoting social change and justice in 
Nigeria, the CG stated that, in the past, some attorneys have 
been mercenary, lending themselves and their talents to 
create legal arguments in support of extant military regimes. 
 However, those attorneys have been counterbalanced by some 
very distinguished lawyers who have been at the forefront of 
democratization in Nigeria.  Most of Nigeria's well-known 
human rights organizations were founded by lawyers and these 
 
LAGOS 00001412  002 OF 002 
 
 
lawyers are among the most respected members of Nigerian 
society, the CG noted.  Thus, plans to focus on ADR and the 
legal profession as a vehicle for a wider social change fit 
in with this aspect of Nigeria's legal profession's history. 
 
¶9.  (SBU) Comment: Post sees efforts to promote ADR as a way 
to link American and Nigerian professionals and institutions 
of higher learning in a quest to bring greater respect for 
the rule of law, enhance conflict resolution in Nigeria and 
promote the sanctity of contracts.  End comment. 
 
BROWNE