Members of the Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee (FJSRCC) have called for an in-depth synergy between all judicial stakeholders to optimally achieve its mandate.
The stakeholders said this during the three-day retreat for the `Development of the FJSRCC Justice Sector Reform Action Plan 2024-2028’ on Wednesday in Lagos.
The event was organised by the Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee in collaboration with the International IDEA.
They equally agreed that more reviews and plans are key justice initiatives and programs that will lead to a healthy nation.
The Director General, Legal Aid Council, Aliyu Bagudu advocated for a realistic and result-oriented solution to the unending problem of awaiting trial inmates as well as care for prisoners in the various prisons across the country.
“The recent information from the Nigeria Correctional Service of over 80,000 inmates with over 50,000 of them awaiting trial in the various prisons across the country, is worrisome.
“There is the need to urgently deal with the issue of access to justice and for these prisoners to be catered for in accordance with the international best practices.
“There should be some insightful and robust discussions on increased budgetary provisions to promote access to justice and better service delivery for the various institutions in the justice sector’’.
He added that the access to justice fund as provided in the constitution should be made operational.
Prof. Muhammed Tabiu, the Co-Chair of FJSRCC noted that one of the objectives of the retreat was to develop a strategic plan for 2024-2027 which is aligned to the priorities of the Federal Government.
Tabiu added that the plan contains deliverables of the Federal Ministry of Justice within the FJSRCC’s mandate.
“Our role is to lead the reform of the justice sector in Nigeria through a coordinated cross sector approach, with the aim of improving access to justice and providing speedy, fair and equitable justice services for all, especially the disadvantaged.
“It is also to coordinate the development and implementation of policies and reforms which improve the delivery of justice services and achieve higher operational standards.
“The aim is also to maintain synergy between justice sector institutions and their activities and provide a forum for resolving cross institutional problems and challenges’’.
He urged members to see how they can enlighten their respective organisations to work together in moving Nigeria forward.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the President on Justice Reform in the office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Fernandez Obiene, emphasised the need for the relevant institutions to resolve policy and operational lapses.
Obiene said this will ensure that the justice sector plays its crucial role in the economic and political development of the country.
The Director, Planning and Research, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Victoria Ojogbane stressed the need for institutions under the Justice Ministry to collaborate optimally to achieve the mandate of the justice ministry as contained in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s eight focal areas of governance.
The event was attended by representatives from relevant institutions such as the Police, Correctional Service, Anti-corruption agencies and the civil society.
