Ilorin Conference: Justice Minister, Kwara Governor Advocate Judicial Reforms
The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and the Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, have emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s judicial system.
The call was made during the opening session of the Network of Justice Sector Reform Teams (JSRTs) conference held in Ilorin, Kwara State, on Tuesday.
The event, organized by the Ministry of Justice with support from the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme of the International IDEA, seeks to advance justice sector reforms nationwide.
The three-day conference brings together key stakeholders, including criminal justice institutions and representatives of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committees (ACJMCs), to deliberate on strategies for enhancing justice delivery in Nigeria.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Fagbemi said:
“As you are aware, the reform of the justice sector is at the core of this administration’s developmental agenda. One of the key components of our Renewed Hope Agenda is to propel judicial reforms to achieve sustainable socio-economic growth and investment, facilitated by the rule of law, and to tackle the obstacles impeding the administration of justice in our country.”
He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to addressing the justice sector’s challenges, adding that strategic policies have been introduced to ensure the enforcement of democratic norms, access to justice, and human rights.
The Minister highlighted recent initiatives, including the Presidential Committee for the Review and Update of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004, and the development of the National Policy on Arbitration and National Policy on Justice to address systemic inadequacies.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, while declaring the conference open, expressed optimism about the outcomes of the discussions.
“This conference could not have come at a more opportune time as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu mobilizes the Honourable Attorney General and his team to revamp the system for improved outcomes,” he remarked.
He urged participants to devise practical solutions that would strengthen public confidence in the judiciary, describing judicial reform as critical to national development.
Dr. Oluwatoyin Badejogbin, Project Manager of the RoLAC II Programme, emphasized the importance of addressing gaps in the justice system, particularly issues like congestion in correctional facilities and the slow pace of justice delivery.
The JSRT conference has served as a platform for fostering inter-agency collaboration and sharing experiences, leading to significant achievements, including the adoption of the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws across all 36 states.
Participants are expected to propose actionable reforms that align with the federal and state governments’ shared vision of a more efficient justice system.
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