The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi has expressed assurances of restoring the judiciary to its pride with its current reforms.
Prince Fagbemi made this statement while speaking at a breakout session during the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Lagos.
The minister mentioned that the National Justice Summit presented the National Justice Roadmap which the Justice Ministry is presently working on.
Other reforms the ministry is working on include engaging with foreign nations on the recovery of stolen national wealth, working with the nation’s anti-corruption agencies to ensure speedy prosecution of corrupt individuals, and collaborating with the police on issues concerning the rules of law, Administration of the Criminal Justice Act, as well as the reforms of correctional homes and services.
Prince Fagbemi emphasized that everyone is a stakeholder in Justice Reform and therefore everyone has a role to play.
Mr. Marcus Fernandez, the special assistant to the Minister on digital technology, mentioned that part of the reforms includes making the ministry digitally compliant, where all processes are digitalized.
He stated that this transformation will involve using technology to facilitate the transportation of litigants and inmates to court via digital means.
In response to comments and questions, the minister expressed concern about the issue of deported Nigerians returning home with nothing but clarified that it is a matter of the laws of the nation they are coming from.
However, he added that his office is currently working on getting the best deal for Nigeria.
Earlier, the president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Yakubu Maikaiyu, emphasized that this is the first time such a session has been held at the NBA conference.
He also commended the attorney general for his passion for the development of Justice and the rule of law in Nigeria.
He believes that the ongoing reforms if carried out effectively, will contribute to the overall development of the nation, as the law covers all areas of national development.
