FG Plans Comprehensive Overhaul of Justice Sector

The Federal Government of Nigeria is taking significant steps towards reforming the country’s justice sector, aiming to enhance access to justice and update existing laws, including electoral regulations.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), announced during a media briefing in Abuja that the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) are preparing for a National Summit on the Justice Sector.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will inaugurate the summit on April 24, 2024, which will address the critical challenges within Nigeria’s justice system. The event will take place at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.

The summit, themed “Repositioning the Justice System: Constitutional, Statutory, and Operational Reforms for Access and Efficiency,” will be hosted by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the NBA and the National Judicial Council (NJC). It aims to tackle pressing issues in the justice sector and introduce much-needed reforms to make justice more accessible to all Nigerians.

The summit will bring together legal experts, professionals, and key stakeholders from across the nation to engage in discussions and develop solutions that prioritize the justice needs of the average Nigerian.

One of the summit’s main goals is to review, validate, and adopt the revised National Policy on Justice 2024–2028, which aims to drive prison reforms and enhance access to justice. The summit will also consider draft legislation to address challenges in judicial appointments, administration, funding, and budgeting.

Fagbemi stated that the summit will feature a keynote address by Dr. Willy Mutunga, EGH, a distinguished legal scholar and former Chief Justice of Kenya. Dr. Mutunga is known for his commitment to democratic principles and human rights, as well as his work in judicial reform.

The event will also focus on reducing delays and inefficiencies in justice delivery, with proposals to limit the number of cases reaching the Supreme Court and to expedite case adjudication.

Fagbemi emphasized the need for a collective approach to overcoming the challenges hindering justice delivery. He expressed hope that the summit will usher in a new era of positive change in Nigeria’s justice sector, ensuring a fair, accessible, and efficient legal system that upholds the rule of law and safeguards fundamental human rights.