Senate President Godswill Akpabio has urged the Nigerian Judiciary to develop a blueprint for transformative changes to enhance judicial efficiency and ensure fair administration of justice in the nation.
He made this call at the opening ceremony of a two-day Summit on “Enhancing Justice Delivery in Nigeria” organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and international development partners in Abuja.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/Communication to the Senate President, Anietie Ekong, quoted Senator Akpabio to have said that the “collaborative efforts of stakeholders will shape the strategic direction of Nigeria’s justice system, making it more robust, accessible, and equitable.”
According to Akpabio, “In the coming months, I will invite my colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to deliberate on these proposals with the gravity and diligence they deserve.
“Together, with the insights and support of the judiciary, legal experts, and the Nigerian populace, we will embark on this legislative journey to enshrine these reforms into law.
“This is more than a legislative duty; it is our moral imperative to fortify the foundation of our nation’s justice system for present and future generations. I look forward to productive discussions and the eventual realization of these reforms, ensuring a just, equitable, and prosperous society for all.
“I will not be telling the truth if I say that we at the National Assembly are not aware of the delays and backlogs plaguing our courts, which not only deny timely justice but undermine faith in our judicial system.
“These delays harm our society’s most vulnerable and create an environment where justice is seen as inaccessible and inefficient. In an era where technology has transformed so many sectors, we must harness its potential within our judicial processes to enhance speed and transparency.
“We are committed to budgeting for the implementation of judicial reforms that will include the adoption of digital tools to manage cases more effectively and ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied.
“This journey requires collective effort. I call upon all stakeholders, including my colleagues in both the legislative and executive branches, as well as the judiciary itself, to support these vital reforms. Together, we can build a justice system that is fit for the 21st century,” he said.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shetima, highlighted the administration’s far-reaching reforms to enhance justice delivery, including the appointment of the full complement of Supreme Court Justices.
Other stakeholders, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Attorney General, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, presented papers at the Summit, emphasizing the need for collective effort to build a 21st-century justice system.
