President Bola Tinubu has requested a reform to allow Nigerians to fully benefit from the justice system.
Tinubu made this statement on Wednesday in Abuja while opening the 2-day National Summit on Justice 2024, organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in partnership with the European Union, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
Represented by the Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, the president stated, “My administration has made the justice system a top priority”.
He urged all members of the Justice sector to align with the renewed hope agenda and promised to improve the efficiency of the Judiciary sector.
“There is much we can achieve as a nation when the judiciary and other public institutions come together.
“This administration will promote important changes that will allow Nigeria to benefit from investments.
“I’m fully aware of the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Justice; having saved the nation from international embarrassment before now and its move toward operational reform.
While urging the leadership of justice institutions to serve Nigeria, he emphasized increased accountability, delivery, and improved public trust.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, said the summit will produce results and enhance access to justice.
He added that it is very important to address issues of corruption, inefficiency, and undue influence.
He emphasized that justice is the fundamental pillar that supports the rule of law and the judiciary under his watch has achieved a commendable accomplishment.
“The judiciary under my watch has reached a significant milestone. Delivering justice to the people lies with the judiciary,” the CJN said.
However, he lamented that justice is still a distant reality for most Nigerians due to barriers such as procedural complexities and socio-economic disparity.
“We must tackle systemic issues that undermine the integrity of our justice system, including corruption, inefficiency, and undue influence.
“Upholding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary is crucial, as it is the foundation of a functioning democracy and a guarantor of the rule of law,” he said.
The CJN stated that the pursuit of justice should not be a privilege reserved for the few, but a right accessible to all, regardless of their circumstances.
“Therefore, it is our responsibility to embark on a journey of comprehensive reform to ensure that justice is not only dispensed but also perceived to be dispensed fairly and impartially.
Constitutional, statutory, and operational reforms are necessary if we are to reposition the justice sector for the 21st Century.
“We must carefully examine our legal framework, identifying gaps and inconsistencies that hinder the efficient administration of justice,” the CJN said.
He praised President Tinubu for his support to the Judiciary, which he said has positively affected the welfare of judicial officers.
He said he was prepared to collaborate with the President and leaders of the National Assembly to make the necessary changes in the judiciary.
“Judges need to carefully examine the legal framework and be courageous in their legislative reforms,” Ariwoola said.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, expressed his dedication to strengthening the Nigerian justice sector.
He revealed that a primary goal of the summit is to validate and adopt the revised National Policy on Justice, 2024–2028, which is the result of extensive research and consultations by key stakeholders in the Justice Sector.
