By Joke Kujenya
SENATOR Godswill Akpabio, the President of the Senate, has called upon the Nigerian Judiciary to develop a comprehensive strategy for transformative changes aimed at bolstering judicial efficiency and ensuring equitable justice administration nationwide.
Address attendees at the commencement 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 the international development partners in Abuja, Senator Akpabio stressed the pivotal role of collaborative efforts in shaping the future direction of Nigeria’s justice system.
Quoting Senator Akpabio, a statement from his Special Assistant on Media/Communication, Anietie Ekong, emphasized the imperative of collective action among stakeholders to strengthen the country’s justice framework, making it more resilient, accessible and fair.
“In the coming months, I will convene discussions with my colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives to deliberate on these proposals with the utmost serious for the betterment of present and future generations,” Akpabio assures.
He also acknowledged the existing challenges of delays and backlogs in the nation’s courts, emphasizing their detrimental impact on access to timely justice and public trust in the judicial system, highlighting the imperative of leveraging technological advancements to streamline judicial processes, enhance efficiency and transparency.
“We are committed to allocating resources for the implementation of judicial reforms, including the integration of digital tools to facilitate effective case management and ensure expeditious justice delivery,” he affirmed.
The Senate President called for collective commitment from all stakeholders, including legislators, executive officials, and the judiciary, to support these critical reforms, emphasizing the potential for building a justice system aligned with contemporary demands.
Representing President Bola Tinubu, Vice-President Kashim Shetima affirmed the administration’s dedication for comprehensive reforms aimed at improving justice delivery, including the appointment of full complements of Supreme Court Justices.
The Summit also featured presentations from notable stakeholders, including Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, among others.
