In a commitment to overhaul Nigeria’s criminal justice system, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, declared the government’s resolve at the South-East Special Policy Summit on Criminal Justice Reforms in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state.
Addressing attorney generals from over fifteen states, Fagbemi emphasized the importance of an effective justice system for peace, stability, and economic growth.
The summit aimed at promoting access to both civil and criminal justice, focusing on the deployment of Alternative Dispute Resolution, Plea Bargaining, and Restorative Justice in the ongoing reforms. Fagbemi highlighted the dedication of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to advancing access to justice and the rule of law, as evident in the “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He stated, “The Federal Government is also keying into the justice sector reforms to compliment what is happening today in the South-East.”
Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State responded, acknowledging the significant challenges faced by judiciaries in many African countries, particularly Nigeria, including backlogs, delays, and corruption.
He attributed the delays in justice delivery to political interference and corruption within the judicial process, where politicians allegedly manipulate cases to serve their political interests.
Nwifuru expressed concern about politicians influencing the judicial process by purchasing favorable outcomes, leading to prolonged cases. He cited instances where politicians allegedly paid for the fabrication of charges, remand, or denial of bail to serve their political agendas.
The summit provided a platform to address these issues and explore avenues for comprehensive criminal justice reform in the country.
