President Bola Tinubu has called for comprehensive reforms to the nation’s court to establish a functional justice system that supports a fast rising economy, protects individuals’ basic civil and political rights, and provides security and justice to all Nigerians.
He spoke yesterday in Abuja at the 2024 National Judicial Summit on the Justice Sector, which had the theme “Repositioning the Justice System: Constitutional, Statutory, and Operational Reforms for Access and Efficiency” and was organised by the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the European Union-funded RoLAC II Programme of the International IDEA and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
According to him, much can be achieved when institutions of government, including the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, unite to acknowledge their challenges and brainstorm with a view to proffering solutions to the problems bedeviling Nigeria.
Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, urged the judiciary to align its activities within the tenets of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly as they relate to the priorities on inclusivity, fairness, rule of law, and anti-corruption stance, among other things.
Noting that his administration had pledged to be impartial and adhere to constitutional principles, Tinubu said the Summit availed institutions in the justice sector with an opportunity to push boundaries by identifying needed system changes and critical reforms that would allow Nigerians to reap the benefits of huge investments in the sector.
Delivering the president’s address, Shettima explained that the Federal Government was determined to implement its policies and promises made to Nigerians for a renewed hope, through the instrumentality of the law and the dictates of justice to create opportunities for our people.
Outlining the preliminary measures he took in order to reposition the judiciary in the bid to support a just and rules-based Nigeria, President Tinubu recalled that his administration made funding for the third arm of government a top priority, doubling it in the Renewed Hope budget 2024 by more that 100 percent from last year’s budget.
He listed other efforts his government has made to reposition the judiciary to include full complement of 21 Justices of the Supreme Court as required by law for the first time after many years, and his approval of a substantial increase in the salaries and emoluments of judges, which is currently undergoing legislative action.
He noted, however, that despite progress being made in the justice sector, there “is an urgent need for a functional justice system capable of supporting a rapidly growing economy, guaranteeing basic human and political rights of individuals, and providing security and justice to all.”
Observing that this is why continued reforms had become imperative, President Tinubu continued: “Justice sector leaders and professionals need to find the right responses to the challenges we face through policy innovation, citizen-centered reform, systems change, and legislative reform, where necessary.
“I accordingly urge the leadership of all justice sector institutions to seek a new direction and focus on outcomes by creating a justice system that truly responds to the needs of our citizens – one that serves Nigerians now and for generations to come.
“I demand informed and coordinated responses to the identified challenges plaguing the effectiveness and efficiency of the sector. I demand performance so that Nigerians can feel and acknowledge the impact of your reform efforts. Ultimately, the expectations are that law and justice should aim to ensure public safety, economic development, peaceful co-existence, and the well-being of our people.”
Earlier, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, had called on the authorities of the nation’s judiciary to stop the misuse of ex parte orders, especially in political cases.
“Another area requiring urgent reform is the process of obtaining the Attorney General’s consent before executing judgments.
“This requirement often acts as a bottleneck, delaying justice and undermining the autonomy of our judicial system. We propose modifying this requirement to facilitate a swifter execution of judgments, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of our justice system.”
He said the reforms of this nature fosters trust in the justice system and improve the overall efficiency of legal proceedings involving the government.
He said the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment and the Committee on Amendment of the Electoral Act were working to ensure that the transformative justice reforms were seamlessly integrated into the ongoing amendments.
“This integration will not only fortify our constitution and electoral framework, but will also ensure that justice both in letter and in spirit becomes more attainable for every Nigerian.
“The National Assembly is not unaware of the delays and backlogs plaguing the courts, adding that the issues make justice to be seen as inaccessible and inefficient.”
Akpabio said the National Assembly was committed to budgeting for implementation of judicial reforms that would include the adoption of digital tools to manage cases more effectively and ensure that justice was neither delayed nor denied.
In his contribution, the Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, said the justice sector under his watch would continue to push for mutuality in the formation and implementation of the national policy on justice.
Giving a brief history on how the national judicial summit was born, Fagbemi said the idea was conceived in 2017 with the aim of providing a veritable platform for analysing, reviewing and accessing issues affecting the Administration of Justice in Nigeria.
“In furtherance of the above, we are developing draft constitution amendment bills which are aimed at achieving the aims of improved access to justice, deepening the independence and capacity of the judiciary, and eliminating delays in the administration of justice, among others.
“Justice Sector Summits were held in 2017 and 2022 and this summit offers us an opportunity to assess the successes recorded and challenges faced since these last summits.
“Specifically, it enables us to measure the impact of the reforms initiated by the National Policy on Justice (2017 – 2023), in the key areas of administration of justice: law enforcement, judicial proceedings, correctional services, restorative and traditional justice, legal education and practice, etc.
“At this summit we will validate and adopt the revised National Policy on Justice, 2024-2028 which is the product of extensive research work and consultations undertaken by critical stakeholders in the Justice Sector.
“Although, the draft policy itself is an ambitious document which aims to serve as a catalyst for the transformation of the entire justice system in Nigeria.’’
According to him, this is an opportunity to have a comprehensive assessment, review and consideration of issues militating against effective administration of justice in Nigeria.
“There will be a well-articulated broad road map of initiatives, actions and responsibilities for addressing and repositioning the justice sector to effectively and efficiently discharge its duties in enhancing national security: upholding the rule of law, promoting the protection of human rights, democratic principles and the socio-economic development of our nation.”
He highlighted some of the key interventions proposed to be pursued in the Revised National Policy on Justice, 2024.
The policy, he said, seeks to promote and protect human rights and access to justice which are essential features of a functional justice system.
He also said it proposes practical and sustainable interventions in the implementation of statutory provisions encouraging protection of human rights and access to justice.
“It also seeks to improve mechanisms for fair and speedy dispensation of justice; detention and correctional services; restorative justice; alternative dispute resolution (ADR) – developing Nigeria into an arbitration hub on the continent; commerce and economic activities; compliance with treaty obligations; synergy and cooperation across the justice sector; and independence of the judiciary; among others,” he said.