Tinubu pledges comprehensive overhaul of criminal justice reform

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering dedication to implementing an extensive revamp of the criminal justice system. This commitment was expressed as he met with the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), headed by its president, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday. In a statement released on Friday by Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, it was disclosed that President Tinubu emphasized the importance of reevaluating the compensation provided to judicial officers across the nation, especially in the context of the ongoing battle against corruption. The President recognized that addressing this issue requires careful consideration of both salaries and allowances, drawing from his significant achievements in reforming the justice and administration sectors during his tenure as the governor of Lagos State. “We cannot truly combat corruption within the Judiciary without addressing the revision of remuneration. We will assess the costs and consequences of this endeavour,” President Tinubu responded to a request made by the NBA president. Furthermore, President Tinubu acknowledged the necessity of resolving existing vacancies within the Supreme Court. He stressed that these obligations must be met in accordance with recommendations from the National Judicial Council, stating, “Once the majority of them return from their current vacation, we will thoroughly evaluate their recommendations and proceed to fill the vacancies. This is an essential obligation we intend to fulfill.” The President expressed gratitude for the invitation extended by the NBA to inaugurate the association’s 63rd Annual General Conference (AGC), scheduled to take place in Abuja from August 25 to September 1. He expressed satisfaction in having legal experts as close advisors, including Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, State Chief of Protocol Victor Adeleke, and his Principal Private Secretary, Prince Damilotun Aderemi. In his remarks, the NBA president lauded President Tinubu for appointing esteemed members of the bar to his cabinet, specifically highlighting Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice. The upcoming annual NBA conference, themed “Getting It Right, Charting the Course for Nigeria’s Nation Building,” will convene legal professionals, experts, and stakeholders to engage in discussions concerning critical issues pertaining to Nigeria’s national development.

Agbakoba calls for EFCC unbundling, investigative focus under new AGF

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), has urged the newly appointed Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to initiate a process of unbundling the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) while confining its role to investigations. Agbakoba’s advice was conveyed in a statement issued on Monday, where he reiterated the urgent need for substantial reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Alongside the proposal to unbundle EFCC, he also put forward the suggestion that the responsibility of prosecution should be handed over to a freshly established National Prosecution Agency. Displaying confidence in the capabilities of the new AGF, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Agbakoba highlighted several other pivotal reforms. These include the implementation of a decentralized Police Force at local, state, and federal levels, a comprehensive overhaul of outdated legal statutes, and the imperative of a streamlined justice system reform. As Nigeria aims to strengthen its legal framework and justice mechanisms, Agbakoba’s recommendations point toward a more focused and efficient approach in dealing with financial crimes and other legal matters. See the full statement below: URGENT TASKS FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION 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. Finally but not exhausted is to create sector specific dispute resolution Agencies to free up the utterly cluttered dockets of the regular courts. The other very important task before the Attorney General will be the unnecessary and wholly inefficient matter of over centralization of our superior courts. There is no better time than now to hack down the highly centralized Court systems in Nigeria. The AGF is invited to consider major constitutional amendments to create a system of Federal and State Courts. State Courts ought to have exclusive Jurisdiction over matters related to them. This is also the case for Federal Courts whose Jurisdiction must be limited to Federal causes. This will free up the Clutter at the Supreme Court and make it the Policy Court it ought to be in the first place We have a Brilliant AGF in Lateef Fagbemi SAN. Am convinced this will be a simple task for him. He is a very good colleague and I have the highest confidence in his abilities Dr Olisa Agbakoba SAN