From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu will on April 24 lead notable legal luminaries and stakeholders to a national summit on Justice reform in Abuja where critical challenges in the justice sector will be addressed.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) who disclosed this on Thursday said the summit which will be declared open by President Tinubu, will be attended by critical stakeholders across the globe.
The proposed summit will be jointly hosted by the Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the National Judicial Council (NJC).
Fagbemi noted that the summit with the theme, “Repositioning the Justice System: Constitutional, Statutory, and Operational Reforms for Access and Efficiency is a crucial event that seeks to 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.
Specifically, he revealed that the summit will deliberate 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, the elimination of delays and inefficiencies in justice delivery and to evolve ways to reduce the amount of time for adjudication of cases, eliminate some of the associated technicalities, and reduce the number of cases getting to the Supreme Court.
“In this regard, we intend to look at a situation where many cases will terminate at the court of appeal to reduce the burden on our noble justices of the Supreme Court.
“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,” Fagbemi told journalists at the press briefing.
The proposed summit, according to the AGF, will bring together experts, legal professionals, and key stakeholders from across the country to engage in constructive discussions and develop practical solutions that prioritize the justice needs of the average Nigerian.
The National Summit on Justice presents a unique opportunity to collectively tackle the pressing issues hindering the efficient, fair, and people-centred delivery of justice in our nation.
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 panellists to share their invaluable knowledge and expertise and proffer constructive solutions for making the justice system more efficient and accessible to all Nigerians.
Notably, the summit will feature a keynote address by Dr. Willy Mutunga, EGH, a renowned legal scholar, jurist and former Chief Justice of Kenya, celebrated for his commitment to democratic principles and human rights, and for the transformative judicial reform that took place in Kenya under his watch.
One of the Summit’s goals is to review, validate, and adopt the revised National Policy on Justice 2024- 2028 to drive prison reforms, 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 reforms.
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.
The minister said the Federal government cannot afford to remain complacent in the face of the obstacles impeding the efficient delivery of justice for all Nigerians.
This Summit presents an opportunity for us to unite our efforts, leverage our collective expertise, and chart a course toward a more just and equitable society.
While physical participation at the summit is by invitation only, virtual attendance will be open to all interested individuals who register to attend virtually in order to allow for a broader public engagement
As we prepare for this milestone event, we are hopeful that the National Summit on Justice will usher in a new era of positive change and progress in our justice sector, ensuring a fair, accessible, and efficient legal system that upholds the rule of law while safeguarding fundamental human rights.