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  • Fed Govt plans summit to address critical challenges in justice sector

    Fed Govt plans summit to address critical challenges in justice sector

    The Federal Government has said it will convene a national policy summit on April 24 to address critical challenges in the justice sector.

    Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) announced this while addressing reporters yesterday in Abuja.

    The minister said the summit is organised by the Ministry of Justice, alongside the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the summit is: Repositioning the Justice System: Constitutional, Statutory, and Operational Reforms for Access and Efficiency.

    Fagbemi noted that the summit would usher in a new era of positive change and progress in the justice sector.

    He said it would also work towards having a fair, accessible, and efficient legal system that upholds the rule of law while safeguarding fundamental human rights.

    “This crucial event seeks to address the significant challenges plaguing Nigeria’s justice sector and pave the way for much-needed reforms that will make justice more accessible to all Nigerians.

    “Key stakeholders from across the country will engage in constructive discussions and develop practical solutions that prioritise the justice needs of the average Nigerian.

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    “It is a unique opportunity to collectively tackle the pressing issues hindering the efficient, fair, and people-centered delivery of justice in our nation.

    “They will share their invaluable knowledge and expertise and proffer constructive solutions for making the justice system more efficient and accessible to all Nigerians,” he said.

    According to him, the summit will also deliberate on draft legislations proposed to address specific identified challenges within the justice sector, especially those relating to the judicial appointments process, administration, funding and budgeting for the judiciary.

    “It will eliminate delays and inefficiencies in justice delivery and evolve ways to reduce the amount of time for adjudication of cases, eliminate some of the associated technicalities, and reduce the number of cases getting to the Supreme Court.

    “In this regard, we intend to look at a situation where many cases will terminate at the Court of Appeal to reduce the burden on our noble justices of the Supreme Court,” Fagbemi said.

    The minister explained that the summit’s goal is to review, validate, and adopt the revised National Policy on Justice 2024 – 2028 to drive prison reforms, access to justice for the average Nigerian.

    He added: “It will also review electoral laws and procedures in handling election-related cases, among several other reforms.

    “The comprehensive policy document outlines a broad framework and initiatives in 17 thematic areas aimed at reforming the justice sector to enhance its effectiveness and accessibility to all Nigerians.

    “It also ensures that justice is not just a privilege for the few, but a right for all.”

    Fagbemi said the policy aims to address various challenges within the legal framework, seeking to promote social cohesion, bolster economic development, and foster good governance.

    “These proposed laws will serve as a catalyst for collective action, provide a guiding framework for relevant governmental institutions to establish an effective, efficient, and people-centered justice system.”

  • Mapping reform plans for Justice sector

    Mapping reform plans for Justice sector

    The Federal Ministry of Justice has unveiled its plans for the justice sector. At a management retreat in Lagos, the Justice Sector Plan (2023-2027) and the ministry’s Strategic Plan (2023- 2027) were validated. Directors, zonal and unit heads signed a performance bond on their implementation. Deputy News Editor JOSEPH JIBUEZE reports.

    There is no doubt that the justice sector is in dire need of a new direction.

    With delays hobbling justice administration, and cases dragging interminably in courts, drastic measures are needed to change the situation.

    A bank chief once lamented that chronic debtors now view courts as havens: they dare creditors to sue knowing an end will not be in sight anytime soon.

    Experts have repeatedly warned that the much-needed investments to spur economic transformation will remain illusory if the justice sector is not revamped.

    Corruption and criminality also worsen when perpetrators know there will be no consequences for their actions.

    Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) is taking steps to address the issues.

    At a management retreat of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Lagos last week, he unveiled his and the ministry’s plans for the sector.

    He also got his key directors, and zonal and unit heads to sign a performance bond on their implementation.

    “I will hold every head of department, and head of zonal office and unit of the ministry to the highest standard of performance in line with the declarations contained in their respective performance bonds,” the AGF said.

    The plans

    Fagbemi said following his appointment and assumption of office on August 21, 2023, he interacted with the leadership of various justice sector actors across national and subnational entities.

    He analysed the National Policy on Justice 2017-2021, the draft Strategic Plan of the Ministry 2023–2027, critical legislations, policies, regulations and guidelines relevant to the implementation of the ministry’s vision, mission and mandate as well as that of its agencies/parastatals.

    The outcome, he said, informed his decision to focus on priority programmes, which are in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu Administration.

    Justice Sector Plan (2023 – 2027)

    Fagbemi said following the signing of a performance bond with ministers and permanent secretaries, he committed to ensuring the performance of the ministerial deliverables assigned to the Federal Ministry of Justice and its agencies.

    The sector plan contains 15 ministerial deliverables, 48 Key performance indicators (KPIs), baselines and targets.

    The ministerial deliverables are encapsulated into the Strategic Plan of the Ministry, which was validated at the retreat.

    “The entire top management will be held accountable for delivering on these assurances made to the President,” Fagbemi stressed.

    Strategic Plan (2023- 2027)

    The draft strategic plan contains six goals, 17 objectives, 54 strategies, and 160 initiatives.

    The strategic plan provides the basis for these activities:

    • Review of laws and development of legislations that will support economic recovery and growth;

    • Prosecution of terrorism and terrorism financing cases to improve security, as well as the provision of legal advisory services on security-related matters;

    • Undertaking measures to strengthen the enforcement of human rights through adoption of relevant legislative frameworks, and implementation of United Nations recommendations on protection of human rights, particularly prevention of torture and sexual and gender-based violence;

    • Access to justice for victims of human rights abuses;

    • Developing measures to reduce government exposure to legal risks and judgment debts through enhanced judgment appeal mechanism;

    • Providing legal intervention and mediation services to enhance access to justice, uphold the rule of law and prevent the breakdown of law and order;

    • Providing support to the Judiciary to enhance justice delivery process; and

    • Review of legal frameworks aimed at improving anti-corruption measures.

    National Policy on Justice, 2017

    Fagbemi noted that the National Policy on Justice 2017 was at the heart of the ministry’s reform agenda.

    He said: “The National Policy on Justice identifies the root causes of the failures and inadequacies of the justice system and its adverse impact on the nation.

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    “Its purpose is to achieve a consensus amongst stakeholders for driving holistic development of all processes, or components of the Nigerian justice system.

    “To this end, I have constituted a national committee comprising relevant stakeholders to convene a National Justice Summit in April this year.

    “Part of the purpose of this Summit is to review the National Policy on Justice, 2017 and validate the successor Policy to drive reforms in the Justice Sector.”

    Justice sector reform programmes

    Fagbemi said the reform programmes will involve:

    • Development of the national crime database;

    • Coordination of prosecuting agencies;

    • Improved funding of the criminal justice sector

    • Capacity building of criminal justice actors;

    • Review of international arbitration proceedings.

    The AGF proposed to prioritise the launch and implementation of the National Anti–Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2022-2026 NACS and its Action Plan.

    Human Resource Development

    Fagbemi’s human resource plans include:

    •  Periodic staff engagement;

    • Capacity building of staff through the provision of working tools and a conducive environment

    •  Specialised training of state counsel

    • Trial expertise training with a focus on specific litigation subjects.

    He added: “On the welfare of state counsel, I am engaging with the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission for an upward review of the allowances state counsel within the limits of available government resources.

    “In addition, we have included in the 2024 budget increased robe and clothing allowance for all staff of the ministry.

    “Furthermore, in response to calls for procurement of vehicles for staff transportation and for ferrying state counsel to court, we included in the budgets for 2023 and 2024 proposals for purchase of vehicles to meet these demands.

    “Whilst we are taking these steps to enhance welfare, I dare to add that this comes with corresponding responsibilities.”

    ‘We must change narratives’

    Fagbemi believes the implementation of the justice sector programmes and priorities will ensure improved governance and effective service delivery in the sector and the nation as a whole.

    “We must, therefore, do all within our power to change the narratives of how government business is performed and raise a standard for higher efficiency in the justice sector.

    “This will ensure that the realisation of the yearnings and aspiration of Nigerian, as well as that of the international community, are not only met, but surpassed,” he said.

    Essence of retreat

    On the essence of the retreat, the AGF said: “It was important for us to come to Lagos to learn and share experience on challenges and best practices for enhancing systems and structures to support the justice sector. 

    “The Federal Ministry of Justice plays a very critical role in the overall developmental agenda of the country, as it offers services that impact all areas of national development.

    “The role of the ministry is critical to the agenda of the government to build a strong economy and combat corruption and insecurity. Our duties are an amalgamation of law and policy.

    “It is, therefore, critical that we continually review our operational strategies to enable us to meet the yearnings of our people for an effective, effective and people-oriented justice system.”

    Sanwo-Olu seeks resilient legal system

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu called for a justice system that fosters a sense of trust and confidence in the citizens.

    Delivering the keynote address, he said the legal structures must not only be resilient but adaptable to the evolving needs of society.

    The governor said: “As we delve into discussions, we should all keep in mind the overreaching goal to build a justice system that not only dispenses justice but fosters a sense of trust and confidence within our citizens.

    “Success of all your efforts will be measured by the positive impacts felt by ordinary Nigerians that are seeking justice.”

    Our targets, by Solicitor-General

    Solicitor-general of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, said the presidential performance bond reinforced the management’s determination to make a difference.

    “The draft Strategic Plan and Work Plan have been subjected to wider stakeholder discussions and inputs to enrich its provisions and ensure its acceptability by all.

    “Our ultimate objective is to enhance human capacities, systems and structures for effective and efficient service delivery.

    “The positions we occupy entail upholding the public trust and we should therefore always strive for excellence in service delivery.

    “The mission of the ministry aptly captures what our duty to the nation entails and this is: to maintain the highest standard of professionalism, to the ideals of fairness and justice and the sustenance of a healthy relationship between all arms and tiers of government,” she said.

    Jedy-Agba acknowledged the support of IDEA and RoLAC.

    ‘Leave sector better than you met it’

    Head of Programme Nigeria, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), Danladi Plang, urged Fagbemi to leave the justice sector better than he met it.

    He reminded the AGF that he may one day return to private practice.

    Plang said: “The retreat is very significant for three things: It is coming at the first year of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration which has an eight-point agenda that covers the rule of law and anti-corruption.

    “Justice is now more than ever integrated into every facet of human life. 

    “We now have technology justice, reproductive justice, electoral justice, climate justice, environmental justice, etc.

    “President Bola Tinubu is not afraid or shy of taking bold and decisive decisions. 

    “Many loose ends in the justice sector require some bold decisions. 

    “We must use the opportunity of the Tinubu administration to close these loose ends.

    “The above requires the institution responsible for coordinating the administration of justice to be intentional in fashioning a strategy that helps us address the justice needs of Nigerians. 

    “The development of a strategic plan by the FMoJ is a right step in the right direction for the above to happen.

    “RoLAC is happy to be part of the process of developing the strategic plan which commenced in 2022 with a workshop we supported for the FMoJ in Kano.”

  • Appraising reforms in Lagos’ justice sector

    For any government to achieve a safer, secured, nonviolent and more prosperous society, a functioning justice sector that guarantees human rights and freedom, protects investments and encourages economic development is a necessity.

    In view of this reality, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, under the watch of the current Attorney General and Honourable Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Kazeem Adeniji, SAN, has embarked on significant reforms that have greatly helped in enhancing the administration of justice in the state. One of such is the establishment of Mobile Courts through which quick dispensation of justice is being ensured.

    The courts summarily try traffic as well as environmental offenders and mete out immediate punishments to those convicted. This has helped in decongesting the courts, thereby reducing occurrence of indecisive cases.

    Also, an online platform where the Laws of the State could be easily accessed was created. Investors and prospective investors have tremendously benefitted from this as it enables them to make informed decisions about investing in the State. Aside this, it has also helped them to appreciate the various legal protections available for their persons and investment. This is particularly a reflection of a strong desire to drive the administration of justice through innovation and technology.

    As part of the drive to embrace technology in combating criminal tendencies in the State, a Crime Data Register (CDR) was created. CDR is an electronic repository of information about suspects and offenders who pass through any of the prisons in Lagos State.  It involves the participation of Stakeholders in the criminal justice process, namely; the Lagos State Judiciary, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police and the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Prison Service. Any convicted offender in the State will thus have his/her details electronically registered.

    Furthermore, the inauguration of the Lagos State Law Reform Commission is a major step towards deepening democracy and the Rule of Law in the state as well as the country. This Commission has the statutory mandate to facilitate the process of reviewing our laws with a view to making appropriate recommendations for the repeal or amendment of such laws or provisions that have become obsolete and bring them in tune with current realities.

    Similarly, the state’s Anti Land Grabbing Law reflects the thinking of the state government in using the instrumentality of the law to reduce the stress that Lagos residents pass through in the hand of land speculators. Interestingly, the state government has been enforcing the anti-land grabbing law against anyone found wanting, no matter how highly placed in the society. This, no doubt, is good for the society.

    Similarly, in line with the commitment of the state government to provide adequate support to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) on its mission to ensure that tax payers comply with tax laws and ensure full tax compliance through prosecution of defaulters, the Rapid Tax Prosecution Unit was set up at the Ministry of justice. This has ensured some level of compliance with tax defaulters approaching LIRS to offset their outstanding tax liabilities.

    In an effort to eliminate cases where criminals escape justice due to non-availability of facilities to conduct necessary forensic tests and keeps records of evidences. The state government inaugurated the Lagos State DNA& Forensic Centre which has aided and assisted law enforcement in the investigation of crimes. The Center has equally helped in training security agencies on methods to secure the crime scene; document same with photography, video and diagrams to ensure the appropriate collection, identification, handling and packaging of forensic evidence. It is important to mention that in the first six months of operation, the LSD&FC received over 350 applications covering different cases and has resolved over 50 of such cases as at December 2018.

    Other laudable reforms in the state justice sector include the establishment of a Sexual Offences and Child Justice at the State’s Ministry of Justice to monitor the prosecution of Sexual Offences in the State, the introduction of Lagos State Real Estate Litigation Electronic System, the promulgation of new laws such as the Anti-Kidnapping Law, the Yoruba Language Preservation and Promotion Law, Lagos State Electric Power Reform Law, among others.

    While the state has not really reached Eldorado in terms of adherence to law and order, it is, however, crucial to stress that much has been done to accelerate the dispensation of justice. Perhaps, a major reason why the Lagos success story has not been told from the justice sector’s perspective is because, in our clime, the yardstick for measuring government’s achievements is largely based on physical development.

    Ironically, the actual engine that oils the wheel of socio-economic development and growth in the State is at the Ministry of Justice. People pay tax, which is the golden key to economic development; because the law demands they do so. Equally, physical and social infrastructure development, environment, health, business investment, education and tourism development all have a significant input from the justice sector. Herein lies the significance of far reaching reforms in the state judicial sector.

     

    • Ogunbiyi is of the Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

  • ‘Why justice sector, court administration should be split’

    Stakeholders have canvassed a split between justice sector administration and court administration as a way to tackle inherent problems in the judicial system.

    They suggested that judges will better concentrate on the issue of quick justice delivery, if another body is given the task of handling administrative matters.

    Members of the Bar and Bench examined the issue recently at this year’s edition of the SPA Ajibade & Co. Business Luncheon, which held in Lagos.

    Principal Partner, SPA Ajibade & Co, Mr Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), urged stakeholders to find a way to address the problem with the administration of justice.

    He said: “I think our judges are overburdened. They are being asked to do things that they are not either trained for or they do not have the capability or the resources to do. And these are the issues bedeviling the administration of justice.

    “There is a general consensus that things are not working properly and this is just another attempt to try and find solutions.”

    According to him, if judges are free of the burden of managing administrative affairs of their courts, they would have time to attend to more cases, thereby enhancing the speed of justice delivery.

    Lead speaker, Mr Fola Arthur-Worrey, a former Solicitor-General in Lagos State, said failure to make a clear distinction between justice administration and court administration had for long hampered the efficiency of the justice system.

    He suggested that Nigeria should emulate the United States of America, the United Kingdom and South Africa, where both components of the justice system have been separated.

    Arthur-Worrey said: “I thought that often we don’t make the distinction in Nigeria between the administration of justice, which is supposed to provide the end product – judgment and ruling – and the administration of the court or the physical elements of the court management, without which the administration of justice itself will be largely inefficient.

    “Things like power supply, generators, diesel etc should not be the concern of judges. But today, judges are the ones that basically manage their courts. They are the ones that replace bulbs because the system is just not fast enough to catch up.

    “I know for instance that many judges don’t have competent secretaries. They are typing their judgments themselves and it has got to a stage that it is an expectation; but it is not supposed to be.

    “All you require from a judge is his or her intellectual capacity, understanding of the law and a level of efficiency in applying the law.”

    Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Oluseun Abimbola, said where the executive was even willing to allow the judiciary enjoy financial autonomy, there was no structure in place to achieve it.

    But Mr. Babatunde Fagbohunlu (SAN), argued that much as the idea of creating a clear dichotomy between justice administration and court administration sounded beautiful, it might do little to address the problem of delayed justice if there were no change of orientation among the stakeholders in the court.

    Fagbolunlu described the problem of delayed justice in the court as a reflection of the falling values of the Nigerian society.

    He added: “If there is one lesson I have learnt, it is that the problems lie with us, not the rules. The judges, the lawyers, the court officials and it even goes beyond the leaders of this country, those who are responsible for implementing the constitution.”

    Justice Abimbola Obaseki-Adejumo of the Court of Appeal, who stood in for Justice Sidi Bage of the Supreme Court, as the chairman on the occasion, lamented the piecemeal release of the judiciary’s budget by the executive.

    She lamented that the kind of accommodation being provided for judges were not suitable.

    To make justice delivery more efficient, Justice Obaseki-Adejumo advocated more use of technology and continuous training for court support staff.

     

  • Stakeholders seek overhaul of justice sector

    Stakeholders seek overhaul of justice sector

    Lawyers and stakeholders in Plateau State have urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate Rt. Hon. Simon Lalong to carry out a comprehensive overhaul of the state’s justice sector if he is elected.

    They made this call last weekend  at the  conference hall of the Hill Station Hotel, Jos during an interactive session.

    The event was  to hold last week but  postponed by the Lalong campaign organisation in honour of the victims of the twin bomb blast  which claimed many lives in the state.

    One minute silence was observed for the victims before the commencement of the programme.

    Participants raised many issues affecting justice delivery in the state including non-payment of salary of judges and Magistrates, judicial workers, dilapidated court buildings, lack of court rooms, the non issuance of Certificate of Occupancy to members of the public in the last few years except the ones issued to members of the ruling family in the state.

    They decried the way the state  government  is run which a participant described as “the government of the father by the son for the benefit of the mum and other siblings”.

    They urged Lalong to give them a breath of fresh air in the state when he assumes  power as the state governor.

    Lalong said he was aware of the challenges of the Justice sector and is willing to tackle them once they  give him their mandate .He  said  that no Judge in Plateau State will trek or jump on  Okada and Keke  when he becomes the governor . Citing the State of Osun model, Lalong promised to build more courtrooms across the state. He promised to adopt the Osinbajo and Fashola approach to court development. He assured  of even and equal distribution of developmental projects across the state if elected its governor.

    In a chat with The Nation, a senior member of Jos Bar, Mr. Titus Mann said: “The interactive session was wonderful, it is the first of its kind  in terms of people canvassing for elective positions in Plateau State, it has never happened that an aspirant gathered people like we saw  today, to explain himself and seek their input into governance  as you saw today.  Lalong demonstrated a very deep understanding of the Justice sector and its challenges. The event of today has shown that we have somebody who has taken his time to acquaint himself with the problems of the state and he is ready to tackle them head on,  I mean that we have never had it this way in Jos.

    “I urge the people  out there to listen to him, see for themselves and vote him into the Government House in the over all interest of Plateau State.” Mann stated.

    Mr. Nankin Bagudu  said: “ The state has suffered so much in terms of  justice  delivery, the justice sector is in a mess. In the past 16 years, not a single  Court room has been built in Plateau State. We still operate the laws of Northern Nigeria, many courts in the rural areas of the state sit only once a week and in the rainy season they don’t sit at all.  There is also the problem of  corruption which compounds the whole thing, so, Lalong  has a lot to do. He has to build and restore confidence in  the people of the state, he also has to open up many neglected rural areas, address communal conflicts and insecurity. I expect him to use the security vote for social projects such as schools, roads, etc. he should also clear the back log of salary,  pensions and address the shocking levels of tribalism which the current administration has foisted on the psyche of the people.

    Bagudu said: “When he becomes the governor I expect him to run a clean and effective government that would produce results. he should be able to first and foremost,  define reality, assemble a good team that would help him in effective service delivery. The people of the state would judge  him firstly by the quality of the team he assembles. He should be able to reduce wasteful spending  in governance,  asses the projects so far undertaken and see what has been done and what needs to be done.

    “He should ascertain the exact debt profile of the state and how it was gotten and for what purpose. He must avoid the trap of trying to witch-hunt perceived enemies . He himself has spoken at the interactive session that he would not witch-hunt and he would not do as  the incumbent state governor has done,  just because he does not like the face of the Vice-Chancellor (VC)  of the Plateau state University,  he sacked the VC without recourse to  due process. There is no doubt Plateau is broke, there are so many unnecessary prestige projects done to promote the ego of the current governor, he must prioritise what he and his team believe is important, he must not promise more than  he can deliver.

    “I believe he is the man for the job because he was a former speaker in this  state, he knows everybody who is  anything in the state and their background. He also knows the challenges of the state, having been a speaker. I think he is a candidate who does not have the baggage many of the other aspirants have,  he is easy going and simple person. He flows easily with people and I believe he takes advice seriously. If he has the right team, he must avoid falling into the trap of seeking to avenge or retaliate for any previous hurt or wrong done to him, if he avoids that,  he will succeed. He has suffered  and so,  I believe he has learnt his lessons.

    “The judiciary in the state is in sorry state,  there are long delays of cases in court,  simple cases of recovery of premises can take up to eight years in a magistrate  Court, there are no court rooms,  there is also the problem of flagrant disobedience  of court orders by the Governor of the state,  there is also corruption in the system,  there is also the problem  of lack of payment of salary of magistrates and Area Court Judges. I feel sad that despite the importance of the place of the administration of justice in the society, little attention is paid to this arm.

    “My appeal to the voter out there is simple vote for change. Vote for Buhari/Osinbajo,  vote for Lalong/Yiden vote APC. Lawyers make good leaders,  Chief Awolowo my greatest Nigerian hero was a lawyer, Barrack  Obama, Tony Blair, Bil Clinton, JF Kenedy etc were all lawyers. Osinbajo is a lawyer,  a trusted and respected one for that matter. I  urge  all lawyers to  vote for the Buhari presidency, he is tested and a disciplined Nigerian.  More and more people are now realising that Nigeria needs change at the Federal level” .

    Former Secretary of NBA Jos Branch,  Jim Gotom said: “Rt. Hon Lalong is a colleague I have known for a very long time first as friends growing up in  Ali Kazaure street, Jos. Then as a classmate at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos. We also practised together before the armed contested election in 1999. Being a lawyer, I know that Hon. Lalong will excel in governance like most legal minds before him including the late Chief Bola Ige, Chief Solomon D. Lar and recently, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) of Lagos State, this is because of the special skills and versatility of a lawyer.

    “Being a lawyer, he is familiar with the workings, the problems and the challenges of the Judiciary, he was a Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly  for many years. As the State Governor, he will know how to build and sustain a cordial relationship with the Legislators. He was the President of the Goemei  Youth  movement, so he has first hand experience of the dicey Youth challenges on the Plateau.”

    “Finally, as a consummate Bar man, and one time Assistant Secretary of NBA Jos branch, I know that he will always consult with the Bar which will always be frank and truthful to him when he is elected Governor of Plateau State. The issues I have highlighted here are all need to be addressed but  where he intends to prioritise them, the  closed  Courts should be renovated. A case in hand is the High Court in Shandam where the Judge cannot sit, there are other lower Courts in the State which are also closed down.

    “Introduction of modern Court recorders and appointment of researchers for Judges can also be immediate and will go a long wy in alleviating the suffering of our Judges,”  Gotom said.

     

  • Charting way forward for Lagos justice sector

    Charting way forward for Lagos justice sector

    Stakeholders have met in Lagos to evolve an action plan for the Lagos State judiciary as applicable in most developed justice systems, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA

    Stakeholders have explored ways to improve justice delivery, especially in the criminal justice sector.

    They met in Lekki, Lagos to brainstorm and develop a reform action plan.

    At the three-day workshop were participants from the ministries of justice, the Police, the Prisons, High Court judges, magistrates, National Human Rights Commission representatives and non- governmental organisations.

    The workshop was funded by the United Nations (UN), through the Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) in collaboration with  the European Union (EU) and the Federal Government under a project code-named  NGA/S08: ”Support to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Judiciary”.

    A document, “State Judiciary Plan of Action for Strengthening Justice Sector Integrity and Capacity 2008-2010” was the platform for the activities of participants at the workshop that took place between May 19 and May 22. Participants were divided into four working groups according to thematic areas, which  included “coordination between justice sector Institutions; enhancing training, research and operational capacity in justice delivery; enhancing access to justice and respect for human rights and strengthening the accountability, integrity, oversight and independence of criminal justice institution”.

    Participants considered the various challenges faced in the administration of the justice system and achieving effective and efficient justice system in the state, particularly as they affect activities and role of the police, lawyers, the ministries of Justice, the prison authority, the non governmental organisations (NGOs) since the initial action plan of 2008 and 2010 came into being. They proffered probable solutions and finally developed a new action plan for justice sector reforms in Lagos State.

    A time frame for the implementation of some aspects of the new plan was also set to start in August, this year, while January next year was set for those that would require budgetary allocations. Since Lagos is believed to be far ahead of other states in justice sector reform, the workshop also considered the landmark achievement Lagos has recorded in the various reforms it had carried out in the sector so far and how such could perculate to other states of the federation.

    Project coordinator, Justice Sector Reform, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC), Mr. Ade Omofade, pointed out that Lagos was chosen as pilot state because it has consistently blazed the  trail in implementing judicial  reforms.

    He disclosed that the organisation would be embarking on the review and update of the action plan in nine other states of the country. He listed those states as Anambra; Bayelsa; Benue; Cross Rivers; Imo; Osun; Katsina; Yobe and  the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    He said the project was initiated with a view to supporting national priorities of effective coordination and cooperation among justice sector institutions, with enhanced legal and policy frameworks as well as enhancing operational structures and capabilities  in the sector and increase access to justice, respect for human rights and the rule of law, especially for disadvantaged and vulnerable groups.

    Omofade enunciated that the project is first taking off  in Lagos in order to further enhance the practice of encouraging a strategic and sustainable approach towards the justice system reform across the states, adding that it was done as a necessary means of enhancing good governance, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

    Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye, who declared the workshop open, said the state features a justice system that encourages compliance with the rule of law, aids effective governance and improves the lives of residents.

    “Aside from our traditional strongholds of civil and criminal procedure reforms, improved case management facilitation, criminal justice sector coordination, provision of free mediation services to the public and others, the state is planning.

    Ipaye said the state is mindful, as a pilot state, of the need to get it right so that others can benefit from the models established.

    He assured stakeholders of the state’s willingness to abide with the recommendations reached at the end of the  workshop, stating that the state has been in the forefront of justice sector reforms, which have invariably  percolated to other states across the country.

    The commissioner, however, recognised the need for linkages with renowned training institutions all over the world through partnership, staff exchange programmes and virtual exchange fora to faciliate peer learning and fast track developmental reforms especially  in the area of forensic examination as well as state counsel on a very strong conusmer protection agency to safeguard consumers.

    The review and update of the action plan, according to him,  is particularly  timely in linking with existing efforts and activities of the state government  in the protection of the rights of the most vulnerable  and disadvantaged.

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, represented by Justice Toyin Ipaye, who chaired the opening session, canvassed  for more actions on the parts of stakeholders to sustain the reforms already introduced and the new ones coming into the sector.

    The state, she said, is poised to  tackle all issues causing bottlenecks in the justice sector frontally with a view to finding solutions to them and improved justice delivery in the state.

    At the end of the workshop, National Technical Adviser,  Justice Sector Reforms, UNODC,  Mrs.  Ugonna Ezekwem, in a chat with The Nation said contributions were of better quality with the Lagos workshop than what obtained in other states that the workshop had held. “We have done action planning in Osun and Yobe States. It is   better structured here, the contributions were like things that can be done. We have a very successful workshop and a very good action plan has come up,” she said.  Ezekwem, however, admitted that the kind of stakeholders that attended the workshop made a difference.  “Although, generally, it is the kind of stakeholders that we normally invite, all over the place we go,” she said.

    Ezekwem said it was the first time the UNODC was involving the media as participants in the workshop for the action plan. “In other places, we invite the media for the opening session, they come, and they go away.  But this time, they participated; they came in the aspect of the court users to represent the views of the people, who actually are not in justice sector, professionals, who use the court.  On how they would ensure effective implementation of the plan that was developed, Ezekwem said what her organisation intended to do was to engage the reform committee of Lagos State and ensure that they follow up implementation.

    “On our own part, for the life time of our project, we try as much as possible to implement what can be done within the ambit of our project because it is not everything there that we can do as well as supporting and advocating with the powers that be – the leadership, to ensure that they sustain the reforms and  put it in the state budgets and begin to follow up and implement them,” she said.

    Assessing the workshop, Director, Public Prosecution (DPP) and Coordinator Action Plans for Justice Sector Reforms in Lagos State, Mrs. Idowu Alakija, noted in the course  of the workshop, that the directorate faces a lot of challenges, particularly with the police whenever cases are to be prosecuted.

    “We found out that maybe we don’t have the case file; with prisons, we found out that when we are in court, we are looking for the defendants- the defendants don’t come to court. And with the Judiciary- the judiciary is divided into many parts: we have the judges, we have the magistrates, we have  the customary court. There are challenges every where and we have been able to deal with every sector. Even the Ministry of Justice has challenges as well. All these were put on the table. We were able to deliberate on all these stakeholders’ problems and we have come out with an action plan for solving them and improving the justice system,” she said.

    Explaining the challenges in the Justice Ministry and the  plans for resolving them, she said they have created new units to aid their activities.

    “In the Ministry of Justice and in the Prosecution Department, we are divided into two. We have the advisory section and we have the court going section, which are in small units. In the advisory, we have a problem before like the Police not sending the files in time. Generally, the public used to complain that the advices are not coming out in time. But thinking that the basic problem is with the office of the prosecution, but sincerely it is not,” she said.

    She continued: “But now we have been able to adopt a system whereby people who are in the Advisory Unit don’t go to court. So, that way, advice is coming out faster and in this workshop, we identified that. And for the court going, the people who are going to court, they don’t do advice. They concentrate on courts. So, the challenges are whether they have witnesses or not, are the cases moving forward, did they bring the defendant to court?

    “On the issue of witnesses, we also have a unit called Witness Support Unit. They make sure nobody says they can’t find the witnesses. They look for the witnesses, counsel them and make sure they come to court. On the issue of the defendants being brought to court, we deliberated extensively on that  and we were able to identify the loopholes and necessary action plan.”

    To ensure that the mechanism being put in place are judiciously followed and implemented, Mrs. Alakija disclosed that there are partners willing to assist the ministry with the challenges so identified.

    “The basic thing is that we have been able to identify areas that we feel are our priority areas. So, with the support of our partners, we have been able to move forward because they are ready to partner with us with a view to eradicating all the challenges we are having,” she said.