The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has disclosed that the Federal Government has finalised plans to hold a National Summit on Justice that will address the challenges facing the justice system.
According to Fagbemi, Nigerians will have the chance to coordinate their efforts, make use of their collective experience and set a path towards a society that is more just and equitable during the summit.
AGF Fagbemi (SAN) stated this in Abuja on Thursday while briefing journalists on the importance of the forthcoming summit.
The National Summit on Justice, which will hold at the Auditorium of the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja from April 24 to 25, 2024, also has a theme titled, “Repositioning the Justice System: Constitutional, Statutory, and Operational Reforms for Access and Efficiency”.
President Bola Tinubu is expected to declare the event open on April, 24.
The Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the National Judicial Council (NJC) are hosting the National Summit.
Fagbemi further stated that the goal of the upcoming justice summit is to address the major issues besetting Nigeria’s legal system and open the door for much-needed reforms that will increase access to justice for all Nigerians.
He said, “It 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-centered delivery of justice in our nation”.
Reviewing, validating, and adopting the updated National Policy on Justice 2024–2028 is one of the Summit’s objectives which will drive improvements in prisons, the average Nigerian’s access to justice system, and the examination of electoral rules and processes in the handling of issues related to elections, among other reforms.
The AGF said, “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.”
Fagbemi further said that the strategy endeavours to tackle diverse obstacles within the legal framework, with the objective of advancing social cohesion, fortifying economic development, and nurturing sound governance.
He said, “Furthermore, 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.
“We cannot afford to remain complacent in the face of the obstacles impeding the efficient delivery of justice for all Nigerians”.
Fagbemi also assured that the National Summit on Justice will bring about a new phase of development and improvement in the judicial system, guaranteeing an equitable, reachable, and effective legal system that protects fundamental human rights and maintains the rule of law.
He said, “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.”
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.
The summit will also 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.
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