Tinubu: We need a more functional legal system to protect the rights of all citizens

•Declares the National Justice Summit open

•Akpabio wants abuse of exparte orders to be curbed

•We owe the president for our achievements, says Ariwoola

Deji Elumoye and Alex Enumah in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has directed the judiciary of government to implement reforms that would ensure a functional legal system that would support a fast-growing economy, guarantee the basic human and political rights of individuals and provide security and justice to all Nigerians.

Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, gave the advice yesterday when he declared open this year’s National Summit on Justice in Abuja.

Also speaking at the event, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, noted that the summit was not only a forum for discussion but also a call to action, adding that the recommendations of experts must be translated into effective policies that will not only would address current inefficiencies as well as future challenges.

According to Tinubu, much could be achieved if government institutions, including the three branches of government: the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, unite to recognize their challenges and brainstorm with a view to proposing solutions to the problems facing Nigeria.

He urged the judiciary to align its activities with the principles of his government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, especially as these addressed “the priorities of inclusivity, fairness, the rule of law, among others and the anti-corruption policy.”

Noting that his administration had pledged to be impartial and adhere to constitutional principles, Tinubu said the apex institutions in the justice sector “provided an opportunity to push boundaries by identifying the necessary systemic changes and critical reforms that would enable Nigerians to reap the benefits of enormous investments. in the sector.”

Delivering the Presidential Address, Shettima explained that the Federal Government was committed to implementing its policies and promises to Nigerians for renewed hope, through the “law and the dictates of justice to create opportunities for our people. ”

Outlining the interim measures he has taken to reposition the judiciary in the bid to support a just and rules-based Nigeria, Tinubu recalled that his administration has made financing the third arm of government a top priority and doubled it in the Renewed Hope budget for 2024. by more than 100 percent over last year’s budget.

He listed other efforts his government has made to reposition the judiciary to include a full complement of 21 Supreme Court judges for the first time in many years, as required by law, and his approval of “a substantial increase in salaries and emoluments of judges’. , which is currently undergoing legislative action.”

The President noted that despite the 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 fundamental human and political rights of individuals, and ensuring security and justice for all to offer.”

Noting that this was why continued reforms were imperative, Tinubu continued: “Leaders and professionals in the justice sector must find the right answers to the challenges we face, through policy innovation, citizen-centric reforms, systems change and legislative reforms, where appropriate.

“I therefore urge the leadership of all institutions in the justice sector to seek a new direction and focus on results by creating a justice system that truly responds to the needs of our citizens – a system that Nigerians serves now and future generations.

“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 recognize the impact of your reform efforts.

“Ultimately, the expectations are that law and justice should aim to ensure public safety, economic development, peaceful coexistence and the well-being of our people.”

Earlier in his speech, Akpabio commended the commitment of all stakeholders in the justice sector in building a consensus that would ensure a more robust justice system that guarantees justice for all, regardless of background and social status.

He underlined the National Assembly’s commitment to a more vibrant and transformative justice system, assuring them that the legislature would play its role in deliberating on the outcome of the summit in an effort to enshrine the outcomes in law.

Stating that the reform of the justice system was a moral imperative, Akpabio suggested that key recommendations for amendment or revision be clearly put forward and sent to the National Assembly in a bid to ensure speedy and fair administration of justice. reforms.

One area where Akpabio claimed urgent reforms were needed was the need to obtain the consent of the Attorney General before executing sentences.

He noted that the requirement often acted as a bottleneck, delaying justice and undermining the autonomy of the justice system.

He also sought reforms in the abuse of exparte orders in political cases by judges. To curb this, it was imperative that the National Judicial Council (NJC) exercise strict supervision and hand out decisive penalties to judges who abused their authority in this way.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Okukayode Ariwoola, said that given the expectations of the judiciary, implementing a holistic reform of the sector had become necessary. the big public.”

He attributed most of the achievements in the judiciary to the support of the Tinubu government, especially in improving the welfare of judicial officers and improving their working environment.

On his part, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, stressed the importance of the revised draft National Policy on Justice, noting that building a national consensus on the progress of the justice sector is necessary become.

According to him, the policy was intended to improve the mechanisms for fair and speedy administration of justice; detention and correctional services; restorative justice; alternative dispute resolution (ADR) – developing Nigeria into an arbitration center on the continent; trade and economic activities; compliance with treaty obligations; synergy and cooperation within the justice sector; and independence of the judiciary; among other things.

“Regarding the focus on strengthening the independence and well-being of the judiciary, it should be recalled that one of the key points of this government’s Renewed Hope Agenda is to promote judicial reforms to ensure sustainable socio-economic growth and investment achieved, facilitated by the rule of law, and to address the challenges that hinder legal development in our country.

“An important theme that has been added to the National Judicial Policy is Justice for Children. This is in line with our commitments under various international, regional and national instruments on the protection of children, in accordance with the Guiding Principles on the Best Interests and Welfare of the Child. The idea is to undertake deliberate and strategic interventions to deal with children who come into contact with the law,” he added.

Danladi Plang, National Program Manager RoLAC II and International IDEA, noted that quality reforms would attract much-needed foreign direct investment to grow the economy.

He said investors don’t want to come to a country where their money is tied up.

“When you go to court, they ask someone to pay money to the court until the case is decided. We have cases that have lasted for ten years. No investor would want to come to such a country.

“Improving the efficiency of the legal system is therefore not only important for commercial matters, but also for criminal matters. We have detained many people for a very long time because their cases have not been heard,” he said.