Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has stressed that no nation can achieve meaningful development without a justice system that is “fair, functional, and trusted.”
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Mbah, a lawyer, made the declaration on Sunday while declaring open the 2025 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.
He reminded lawyers that the law transcends a profession, describing it as the conscience of the nation.
“The law is not just a profession – it is the conscience of the nation. We are not only courtroom advocates; we are also defenders of truth, architects of peace, and champions of equity,” Mbah said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to justice sector reforms, which he described as the cornerstone of his government. He noted that Enugu was among the first states to implement full financial autonomy for the judiciary in line with Section 121(3) of the Constitution, a move he said enhanced efficiency, independence, and the dignity of the courts.
Mbah disclosed that his government had rehabilitated and digitised courtrooms across the three senatorial zones, equipping the High Court Complex in Enugu with e-filing, virtual hearing facilities, and an integrated case management system.
To further strengthen access to justice, the governor said the Enugu Multi-Door Courthouse had been expanded as a regional model for commercial and family dispute resolution, while partnerships with civil society and the NBA had widened access to pro bono legal services, especially for indigent citizens and detainees in rural areas.
He added that the government had carried out extensive codification and review of obsolete laws to reflect modern realities, ensure gender justice, and improve the ease of doing business. Most notably, he said, Enugu had introduced real-time transcription of court proceedings, eliminating longhand recording by judges and improving productivity.
Mbah emphasized that all these initiatives were part of a broader vision to make Enugu the preferred destination for investment, innovation, and inclusive development.
“From smart schools to safe communities and accessible healthcare, our vision cannot be achieved without a justice system that is fair, functional, and trusted,” he stated.
The opening ceremony was chaired by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, with the keynote address delivered by South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters leader and member of parliament, Julius Malema.
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