Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has urged governors to implement financial autonomy for the Judiciary.
He said they could take advantage of the amendments to the Constitution to also develop their economies.
The amendments, he noted, were effected through the Fifth Alteration Numbers 15, 16 and 17 Acts of 2023.
The alterations devolved powers to states on correctional services, railways and power generation, transmission and distribution.
Fagbemi spoke in Abuja at the Body of Attorneys General (BOSAG) conference and meeting of the General Council of the Bar.
The AGF said: “In the light of these constitutional changes, it has become imperative for states of the federation to take maximum benefit of these constitutional alterations by developing their legal and policy frameworks on these legislative items…
“The effectiveness and functionality of the justice system have a direct effect on the overall development, stability and sustainability of any society.
“I urge my distinguished colleagues to ensure the full implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary across our states as provided for under Section 121(3)&(4) of the Constitution, as a mark of our true and holistic commitment to the ideals of democracy and good governance.
“We should in this regard seek to robustly build the capacities of the Judiciary, both in terms of personnel and infrastructure, particularly by investing in technologies that are necessary to automate vital aspects of our court operations and ultimately implement a digital justice delivery system.”
He said the Federal Government has put measures in place to prevent debt arising from judgments and arbitration proceedings against the government and its agencies.
He explained that the initiative involves “a collaborative framework with specialist firms to enable legal officers involved in drafting memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and other forms of binding agreements to acquire required skills to identify possible areas of dispute or liability, which could lead to avoidable litigation or arbitration costs and judgement debt”.
Fagbemi also stressed the need to extend the anti-corruption war to the states.
He added: “One of the lessons I learnt from the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, 2017/2022 is the need to ensure that the strategy is adopted and driven at the subnational level.
“This is a move away from current efforts by anti-corruption strategies being driven solely by law enforcement and regulatory agencies at the federal level.”
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Mohammed Monguno, said the 10th Senate was committed to embarking on multi-dimensional reforms capable of repositioning the Judiciary.
He urged members of BOSAG to come up with ideas on existing laws to be amended and new ones to be enacted.
Among them is whether the office of the attorney general should be split from the minister of/commissioner for justice.
Senator Monguno added: “This meeting is apt given the current challenges which have bedeviled the judiciary and the need to, as a matter of urgency, address emerging legal issues affecting the nation.
“This is with particular reference to conflicting judgments arising from election petition tribunals and the Court of Appeal in recent times; the implementation of the Data Protection Act 2023 and factors affecting the implementation of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act 2015.”
Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Olumide Osoba, urged members of BOSAG to ensure equity in access to justice by all Nigerians.
He said: “It is our moral and constitutional duty to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their background or social status, have equal access to justice.
“We must strive to bridge the divide and promote a more inclusive, equitable and just society. Our goal should be to provide a justice system that is not only fair but also sensitive to the needs of the vulnerable in our society.
“To achieve this, we need to adopt a multi-pronged approach that involves coordination and collaboration between all arms of government and civil society organizations.
“We need to invest in improving access to justice through legal aid, community-based paralegal services and technology-driven solutions.
“We must also work towards building trust and confidence in the justice system by engaging with marginalized communities and addressing their concerns.
“Another critical issue that we need to address is the disproportionate representation of minorities in the criminal justice system.
“Studies have shown that individuals from marginalised communities are more likely to be arrested, charged and sentenced to longer prison terms than their counterparts.
“This system of discrimination is unacceptable and runs counter to the principles of justice.
“We must also focus on addressing the root causes of crime, such as poverty, inequality and social exclusion.
“By investing in education, healthcare, and social welfare, we can create a more inclusive and equitable society, thereby, reducing crime and improving access to justice.”
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
