EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Federal Government recently pledged a comprehensive reform of the country’s justice system following concerns over conflicting court judgments. During the Body of Attorneys-General (BOAG) meeting in Abuja, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, emphasized the need for reform amidst growing complaints about recent court rulings.
Despite acknowledging these concerns, Fagbemi dismissed assertions that public confidence in the judiciary is severely low. He emphasized that while some complaints exist, they don’t reflect the overall situation. The AGF assured a thorough approach to address the grey areas affecting the justice system.
Regarding the proposed separation of the AGF’s office from that of the Minister of Justice, Fagbemi stated it would be revisited at an opportune time. He highlighted ongoing initiatives to enhance legal officers’ skills in avoiding disputes and legal liabilities during agreement drafting.
At the meeting’s opening, the AGF expressed concerns about rising government debts and announced efforts to equip legal officers to identify potential disputes in agreements. The meeting aimed to address constitutional and statutory responsibilities within a federated structure and strengthen the justice system, particularly in criminal administration.
The AGF stressed the importance of financial autonomy for the judiciary, urging colleagues to embrace technologies for a digital justice delivery system. Plans for a National Summit on Justice and the revision of the National Justice Policy were also highlighted as critical steps towards justice sector improvement.
The Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, echoed the need for stakeholder interactions to develop innovative legal responses to societal challenges. The meeting convened AGs from the 36 states, along with Chairpersons of Judiciary Committees in the Senate and House of Representatives, focusing on bolstering the justice system through collaborative efforts.
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