President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has implored the nation’s Judiciary to embark on reforms that would ensure a functional justice system to support a rapidly growing economy, guarantee basic human and political rights of individuals as well as provide security and justice to all Nigerians.
The president made the call Wednesday when he declared open the National Summit on Justice 2024 held at the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja.
The two-day summit was organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the National Judicial Council (NJC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), European Union (EU), International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNIDO).
Dignitaries that spoke at the high-level programme included Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola and President Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yakubu Maikyau (SAN).
Others were Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, President Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban–Mensem, former NBA Presidents, former Chief Justices and a host of other stakeholders in the judiciary firmament.
The rest were Kwara state Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, Ministers of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Muhammad Idris; Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ola Olukoyede; Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Brig- Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd), and Chief Judges from the states among others.
…Tinubu
Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu said much can be achieved when institutions of government – the executive, the legislature and the judiciary – unite to acknowledge their challenges and brainstorm with a view to proffering solutions to the problems bedeviling Nigeria.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the president 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”.
Stressing that his administration had pledged to be impartial and adhere to constitutional principles, the president 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.”
He said 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, the president said his administration made funding for the third arm of government a top priority, doubling it in the Renewed Hope budget 2024 by more than 100 per cent 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.”
The president said 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.
“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,” he said.
…Ex-Kenya CJ
Delivering his keynote address at the event, the former Chief Justice of Kenya, Dr. Willy Munyoki Mutunga, harped on the need for the integrity of the judiciary to be protected.
The legal luminary, who reiterated the efficacy of reforms of the justice sector added: “If Judiciary becomes an appendage of executive or the legislature, then it will erode its independence.”
Mutunga further said: “If a united sovereign nation or guaranteed social transformation is to be achieved, then there must be patriotism, national unity, devolution of power, human rights, equality, and rule of law and protection of the marginalized.”
Analysing issues in the Kenyan and Nigerian justice sectors, specifically citing the sharia law system in Nigeria, Mutunga said the development of a jurisprudence that is African-based will go a long way in reinstating confidence of the people in the judiciary.
…Akpabio’s remarks
Also speaking, Senate President Akpabio commended the commitment of all stakeholders in the justice sector in building a consensus that would ensure a more robust judicial system that guarantees justice for all irrespective of background and social status.
He underscored the commitment of the National Assembly for a more vibrant and transformative justice system, assuring that the legislature will play its part by deliberating on the outcome of the summit in a bid to enshrine the outcomes into law.
He said key recommendations for amendment or review should be clearly highlighted and sent to the National Assembly in the bid to ensure speedy and fair dispensation of justice, recommending a bottom to top approach in the proposed reforms.
Justice far from people – CJN
Also speaking, the CJN, Justice Ariwoola, said given the expectations from the judiciary, undertaking a holistic reform of the sector had become necessary, stressing that “constitutional, statutory and operational reforms in the justice sector is imperative in meeting the aspirations and yearnings of the general public.”
He said: “The pursuit of justice lies at the heart of our collective aspirations for a fair and equitable society. It is a fundamental pillar upon which the rule of law rests, and it is essential for the maintenance of peace, stability, and social cohesion. However, as we gather here today, we do so against the backdrop of persistent challenges that continue to hamper the effectiveness and accessibility of our justice system.
“Access to justice remains a distant reality for far too many Nigerians, with barriers ranging from procedural complexities to socio-economic disparities. The quest for justice should not be a privilege reserved for the few, but a right accessible to all, regardless of their circumstances. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us 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.”
The CJN attributed most of the achievements recorded in the judiciary to the support of Tinubu administration, particularly in the enhancement of the welfare of judicial officers and improvement in their working environment.
…AGF, NBA
Also speaking, AGF Fagbemi emphasised the significance of the revised draft national policy on justice, noting that building a national consensus on the advancement of the justice sector has become necessary.
He said his team diligently worked to identify and explore seventeen thematic areas crucial for the administrative and legislative reform of the justice system.
“We are inspired by the commitment shown by all stakeholders and confident that our collective efforts will lead to a judiciary that not only meets the demands of today’s Nigeria but also anticipates the needs of tomorrow,” he said.
Fagbemi promised to continue engaging members of the legislative arms in order to enshrine the various reforms into law.
Also, the NBA President, Mr Yakubu Maikyau, commended leaders in the justice sector for convening the summit and noted that reforming practices and mechanism for operations in the sector was critical to the overall economic transformation of the country.