FG Thinks Easy Justice Access For Nigerians – Fagbemi
- Says updated electoral law coming
BY EDMOND ODOK – If the assurances by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN), are anything to go by, Nigerians will soon enjoy updated electoral laws in the country.
This is as he also promised that Nigerians are on the way to having unhindered access to justice and fair play at all times.
According to him, Nigeria cannot afford to remain complacent in the face of the obstacles impeding the efficient delivery of justice for all citizens.
Consequently, he said the focus is on achieving an effective justice system with most of the laws, including electoral laws, slated for update under the new justice sector reforms.
The AGF, who spoke at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, said the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) are putting together a new National Summit on the Justice sector that aims at addressing issues concerning the effectiveness of existing Nigerian laws.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would declare open the National Summit to address critical challenges in the nation’s justice system in Abuja, adding that the event is slated for April 24 and 25, 2024.
To be hosted by the Federal Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the NBA and the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Minister said the Summit, with the theme, “Repositioning the Justice System: Constitutional, Statutory, and Operational Reforms for Access and Efficiency”, will take place at the Auditorium of National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.
Offering further insight, Fagbemi said the Summit will address the significant challenges plaguing Nigeria’s justice sector and pave the way for much-needed reforms that will make justice more accessible to all Nigerians.
He said; “The National Summit on Justice presents a unique opportunity to collectively tackle the pressing issues hindering the efficient, fair, and people-centered delivery of justice in our nation.”
On dignitaries expected to attend the Summit, the Justice Minister said experts, legal professionals, and key stakeholders from across the country would be engaging in constructive discussions towards developing practical solutions that prioritize the justice needs of the average Nigerian.
Hear him; “The Joint Planning Committee established by the Federal Ministry of Justice and the NBA, headed by the Chairman of the NBA Judiciary Committee, Dr. Babatunde Ajibade, SAN has assembled a remarkable group of speakers and panelists to share their invaluable knowledge and expertise and proffer constructive solutions for making the justice system more efficient and accessible to all Nigerians”.
He said a renowned legal scholar, jurist, and former Chief Justice of Kenya, Dr. Willy Mutunga, will deliver a keynote address at the event. Mutunga is well celebrated for his commitment to democratic principles and human rights, and for the transformative judicial reform that took place in Kenya under his watch.
Explaining the Summit aims to review, validate, and adopt the revised National Policy on Justice 2024 – 2028 to drive prison reforms, the AGF said access to justice for the average Nigerian, as well as the review of electoral laws and procedures in handling election-related cases, among several other issues, will also be tabled for discussion.
“This comprehensive policy document outlines a broad framework and initiatives in 17 thematic areas aimed at reforming the justice sector to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility to all Nigerians, ensuring that justice is not just a privilege for the few, but a right for all.
“The policy aims to address various challenges within the legal framework, seeking to promote social cohesion, bolster economic development, and foster good governance”.
Additionally, the AGF said there will be deliberations on draft legislations proposed to address specific identified challenges within the justice sector, relating to the judicial appointments process; administration; funding, and budgeting for the judiciary; as well as the elimination of delays and inefficiencies in justice delivery.
Other areas of coverage include evolving ways to reduce the amount of time for adjudication of cases; eliminating some of the associated technicalities, and reducing the number of cases that go all the way to the Supreme Court.
The AGF said the reforms would also consider a situation where many cases will terminate at the Court of Appeal to reduce the current burden on the Supreme Court Justices.
In his words; “These proposed laws are expected to serve as a catalyst for collective action and provide a guiding framework for relevant governmental institutions at both the national and sub-national levels to establish an effective, efficient, and people-centered justice system”.
