President Bola Tinubu has implored the nation’s Judiciary to embark on reforms that would ensure a functional justice system and support economic growth.
Represented by the Vice-President Kashim Shettima, Tinubu gave the charge on Wednesday when he declared open the National Summit on Justice, 2024, held at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.
The President also emphasised the need for a legal framework that would guarantee basic human and political rights of individuals and provide security for all Nigerians.
According to him, much can be achieved when institutions of government, including the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary, unite to acknowledge their challenges and brainstorm.
” This is with a view to proffering solutions to the problems bedeviling Nigeria.”
He, therefore, urged the judiciary to align its activities within the tenets of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
” Particularly as they relate to the priorities on inclusivity, fairness, rule of law, and anti-corruption stance, among other things”.
He said that his administration had pledged to be impartial and adhere to constitutional principles.
Tinubu said that the Summit availed institutions in the justice sector “with an opportunity to push boundaries by identifying needed system changes and critical reforms that would allow Nigerians to reap the benefits of huge investments in the sector.”
He explained that the Federal Government was determined to implement its policies and promises made to Nigerians for a renewed hope, through the instrumentality of the “law and the dictates of justice to create opportunities for our people.”
President Tinubu said that his administration made funding for the third arm of government a top priority, doubling it in the Renewed Hope budget 2024 by more that 100 per cent from 2023, budget.
” I urge the leadership of all justice sector institutions to seek a new direction and focus on outcomes by creating a justice system that truly responds to the needs of our citizens.
” I demand informed and coordinated responses to the identified challenges plaguing the effectiveness and efficiency of the sector.
” I demand performance so that Nigerians can feel and acknowledge the impact of your reform efforts.
“;Ultimately, the expectations are that law and justice should aim to ensure public safety, economic development, peaceful co-existence, and the well-being of our people.”
Earlier, the President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio commended the commitment of all stakeholders in the justice sector in building a consensus that would ensure a more robust judicial system.
He underscored the commitment of the National Assembly for a more vibrant and transformative justice system
He assured that the legislature would play its part by deliberating on the outcome of the summit in a bid to enshrine the outcomes into law.
On his part, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Okukayode Ariwoola, said given expectations from the judiciary, undertaking a holistic reform of the sector had become necessary.
He noted that constitutional, statutory and operational reforms in the justice sector was imperative in meeting the aspirations and yearnings of the general public.
The CJN attributed most of the achievements recorded in the judiciary to the support of Tinubu administration, particularly in the enhancement of the welfare of judicial officers and improvement in their working environment.
In the same vein, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, emphasised the significance of the revised draft national policy on justice.
He noted that building a national consensus on the advancement of the justice sector has become necessary.