The President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has restarted its commitment to continually support the Judiciary to perform its constitutional duty.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who stated this, tasked officials of the nation’s court system to ensure financial accountability and systemic reforms.
Fagbemi spoke yesterday in Abuja at this year’s strategic retreat for chief registrars of courts, organised by The Committee of Chief Registrars of Nigeria and with the theme: “Strengthening court administration, financial accountability and staff well-being for a more effective Judiciary in Nigeria.”
Fagbemi, who was the event’s chairman, said: “On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, I reaffirm the commitment of the executive arm of this government to working closely with leadership of the Judiciary to advance adequate and sustainable budgetary provisions, promote the review of court rules to establish clearer and more robust frameworks for the authority of Chief Registrars, and foster strategic partnerships aimed at continuous capacity building.
“I further assure you of our full support for reforms designed to strengthen service delivery and enhance the effective administration of justice.”
The AGF stressed importance of enhanced accountability in courts’ management and need to ensure adoption of more technical innovations.
He said transparent and lawful management of revenue is a constitutional obligation, adding future constitutional amendments may introduce clearer provisions on the responsibilities and accountability of chief registrars.
Fagbemi hailed the gathering, which he said was holding at a time Nigerians demand greater accountability, quick dispensation of justice, and a Judiciary that embodies integrity, efficiency, and modern governance.
The AGF stressed that registrars are essential to the court system, saying they stand at the intersection where constitutional provisions meet practical reality for Nigerians seeking justice.
He added: “The credibility of the Judiciary rests not only on judgments delivered but on the integrity and efficiency of its administration.
“As the first point of contact, you directly shape whether justice is accessible or obstructed; whether the system inspires confidence or frustration.
“You are essential officers whose work enables the functioning of our judicial system.
“Let me state this with clarity and conviction: the ultimate measure of our success will be the tangible improvements felt by ordinary Nigerians seeking justice at your filing counters,” Fagbemi said.
Declaring the retreat open, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, described court administration as “governance in action”.
The CJN averred that weak administration leads to delayed justice, eroded public confidence, and reduced institutional effectiveness.
She said the judiciary’s credibility depends not only on sound judgments but also on transparent processes, prudent financial management, and the well-being of judicial workers.
“Our courts are the heartbeat of the justice system. Where accountability is absent, public confidence erodes; and where the well-being of judicial staff is neglected, institutional effectiveness is compromised,” she said.
According to her, financial accountability is both a statutory and moral obligation essential to safeguarding judicial independence.
Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that chief registrars occupy a position of profound responsibility as custodians of records and stewards of judicial resources.
The CJN called for greater adoption of technology, including digital tools and judicial automation, to improve efficiency, transparency and access to justice.
She noted that technology, when properly deployed, should be seen not as a disruption but as an enabler of judicial excellence.
In a keynote address, former Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said a fundamental reform of the nation’s justice delivery system was expedient.
The former minister identified the key modifications required to realise this.
He said the adoption of technology is crucial to courts’ operations, stressing the need for continuous training and collaboration among courts’ managers and support staff.
The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Committee of Chief Registrars of Nigeria, Kabir Akanbi, said the two-day retreat marked the revival of the group that had been inactive for some time.
Akanbi explained that the “retreat offers us an opportunity to reflect, to refine, and to realign. It is not a ceremonial gathering; it is a commitment to the Judiciary envisioned by our Constitution: strong, independent, accountable, and people-centred”.
The chief registrar said the many objectives of the gathering included the creation of standardised administrative practices that promote fairness, efficiency, and national uniformity, and to deepen financial integrity and procurement transparency, reinforcing public trust in our stewardship of judicial resources.
Kabir added: “Our deliberations at this retreat are anchored on a growing consensus among Nigeria’s foremost judicial and legal leaders: justice cannot thrive without effective court administration.”
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
