- NBA tasks AGF Fagbemi to prioritize justice system reforms, addressing issues like judicial salaries and court delays
- NBA president meets President Tinubu, optimistic about legal community-government collaboration, praises AGF Fagbemi’s role, expresses gratitude ahead of conference
Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been tasked by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to prioritize reforms in Nigeria’s justice system.
Yakubu Maikyau, the association’s president, told State House correspondents yesterday after meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
He says the most pressing issues require immediate attention, such as outdated judicial officer salaries and lengthy court processes.
The NBA president expressed optimism while urging collaboration between the legal community and the government, describing Fagbemi’s appointment as a perfect fit for the role.
He was at the villa to thank the President ahead of the association’s weekend conference.
Former NBA president, Agbakoba, seeks decentralized police, revamp of judicial system
Former NBA President Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) has urged the new Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to revamp the judicial system to ensure effective case prosecution.
Agbakoba made this call in a lengthy statement he signed and published on Monday.
He expressed trust in the new AGF while reiterating the need for major reforms in the criminal justice system, and he suggested that a newly established National Prosecution Agency handle prosecution.
The statement reads;
There are pressing tasks to be carried out urgently by the new Attorney General of the Federation. Major reforms of the criminal justice system with particular reference to the utter confusion in the duplicated work of our law enforcement agencies in particular EFCC and ICPC is urgently needed. Also there is need to unbundle EFCC and restrict them to investigation only while a new National Prosecution Agency ought to be established.
Another key reform would be a complete decentralized Police Force at local state and Federal levels. Major revamp of our outdated laws is urgently needed to follow the Rwanda example that modified 1000 laws. Last but not least the AGF must work on Speed of Justice. It’s a crying shame it takes upwards of 15 years to conclude cases from the High court to the Supreme Court.