The International Human Rights Commission in Kaduna says it resolved a dispute arising from a cooperative agricultural support programme through mediation, in line with its commitment to peaceful conflict resolution.

The director of the IHRC in Kaduna, Maikudi Bawa, disclosed this after facilitating a reconciliation between two members of a cooperative society who disputed agricultural support benefits.

According to the IHRC, the dispute involved Rabi’u Muhammad and Binta Saleh, who participated in a programme that provided farming inputs and equipment to beneficiaries through their cooperative.

He explained that issues arose after funds initially transferred to beneficiaries became inaccessible and were later reversed, creating uncertainty over the support package’s nature.

The IHRC noted that the situation became more complicated when a beneficiary disposed of fertiliser received under the programme after discovering it had deteriorated and was unsuitable for farming.

Mr Bawa added that subsequent deductions from the beneficiary’s bank account, allegedly linked to programme obligations, triggered disagreements over whether the support was a grant or a recoverable loan.

According to the commission, the misunderstanding led to legal action before intervention efforts were initiated to seek an out-of-court settlement.

The IHRC said the matter was referred for mediation, where both parties presented their positions and agreed to resolve the issues amicably.

He stated that the mediation process resulted in a mutually accepted settlement and renewed commitment by the parties to maintain peaceful relations.

Mr Bawa commended both individuals for embracing dialogue and cooperation, noting that mediation remained an effective mechanism for resolving civil disputes while preserving relationships and reducing the burden of litigation.

He also advised members of cooperative societies and beneficiaries of intervention programmes to seek adequate information on participation terms and financial obligations before enrolment to prevent future disputes. 

(NAN)