Senate President Akpabio Urges Judiciary To Develop Blueprint For Transformative Changes

*Acknowledges Delays and Backlog in Judiciary, Calls for Reforms

Senate president Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday, April 24, said that the National Assembly is aware of delays and a backlog of cases plaguing the judiciary “which not only deny timely justice but undermine faith in our judicial system.”

Akpabio urged the Nigerian Judiciary to evolve a blueprint for the transformative changes needed to enhance judicial efficiency and ensure the fair administration of justice across the nation.

Akpabio spoke at the opening session of a two-day Summit on: “Enhancing Justice Delivery in Nigeria” organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other international development partners in Abuja.

Akpabio commended the dedication of the team of experts who have worked tirelessly to identify and explore seventeen thematic areas crucial for the administrative and legislative reforms of the justice system. He emphasized that the summit is not just a forum for discussion but a call to action, urging all stakeholders to work together to shape the strategic direction of the justice system and make it more robust, accessible, and equitable.

The Senate President praised the leadership of the Attorney General, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, in spearheading the comprehensive review of the justice system and developing a national policy on justice that promises to reshape the landscape of justice in Nigeria. Akpabio assured that the National Assembly is committed to ensuring that these thoughtful and transformative justice reforms are seamlessly integrated into the ongoing amendments to the constitution and electoral framework.

Akpabio acknowledged the delays and backlogs plaguing the courts, which not only deny timely justice but also undermine faith in the judicial system. He emphasized the need to harness the potential of technology within judicial processes to enhance speed and transparency. The Senate President committed to budgeting for the implementation of judicial reforms, including the adoption of digital tools to manage cases more effectively and ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied.

Addressing specific reforms in the justice sector, Akpabio highlighted key areas that require urgent attention. He proposed reforming the approach to interlocutory appeals in civil cases to accelerate judicial processes, reduce backlog, and ensure that litigations are not unduly prolonged by intermediate appeals. Additionally, he suggested modifying the requirement for obtaining the Attorney General’s consent before executing judgments to facilitate swifter execution of judgments and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system.

Akpabio also emphasized the importance of curbing the misuse of ex parte orders in political cases by judges. He recommended that the National Judicial Council (NJC) exercise stringent oversight and promptly punish judges found to abuse their authority. He further proposed that the NJC establish clear and detailed standards governing the issuance of ex parte orders, accompanied by severe sanctions for violations, and conduct regular audits and reviews to ensure compliance.

In his concluding remarks, Akpabio expressed gratitude to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR for appointing the right person as the Minister of Justice and praised the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Judicial Council for their dedication and collaboration in the success of the summit. He emphasized that the real work begins now, turning the strategies and ideas discussed into tangible reforms to enhance justice delivery and uphold the rule of law across the nation.

Also in 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, it is critical that we 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, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shetima, said the administration has embarked upon far-reaching reforms to enhance justice delivery including the appointment of the full complement of the Justices of the Supreme Court.

Other stakeholders who presented papers at the Summit included the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN among others.