Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, has emphasized the judiciary’s responsibility to deliver justice to the people, acknowledging that justice remains elusive for many Nigerians.
Speaking at the National Summit on Justice organized by the Ministry of Justice and the Nigerian Bar Association in Abuja, the CJN highlighted the need for critical reforms within the judicial system.
Chief Justice Ariwoola stressed the importance of judicial officers critically examining the legal framework and advocating for bold legislative reforms.
He emphasized the judiciary’s role in leveraging technological innovation to address issues of corruption, inefficiency, and undue influence, which have long plagued the justice sector.
The Chief Justice proudly noted that significant milestones have been achieved under his leadership, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve the administration of justice in Nigeria.
However, he acknowledged that more needs to be done to ensure justice is accessible to all Nigerians.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to promoting mutuality in the formation and implementation of national policies on justice.
He provided a brief history of the National Judicial Summit, which was conceived in 2017 to provide a platform for analyzing, reviewing, and addressing issues affecting the administration of justice in Nigeria.
The National Judicial Summit aims to deliberate on ways to reduce the time for adjudication of cases and minimize the number of cases reaching the Supreme Court.
This initiative seeks to unburden the apex court and enhance efficiency within the judicial system.
The summit was attended by various dignitaries, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, and the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongbam-Mendez.
Heads of Superior Courts and other stakeholders in the justice sector also participated in the two-day summit.
