The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has clarified that the on-going reforms of the country’s judiciary is aimed at making justice accessible to poor and indigent Nigerians in line with the 1999 Constitution.
He assured that when fully completed, the
reforms will make the legal system more efficient, transparent, accountable and fundamentally people-centered.
Fagbemi spoke on Wednesday in Abuja while inaugurating the Justice Sulyman Durosinlorun Kawu-led Governing Board of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.
To make the reforms more meaningful, the AGF charged the Board to come up with strategic steps that will reduce detention facility congestion, clear court dockets and safeguard fundamental human rights at early contact points.
The minister explained that the inauguration of the Board was critical to the attainment of the present administration’s priority areas, as it is one of the measures to attain the far-reaching legal and
“From strengthening citizen rights to expediting trials, our collective resolve is to ensure that the Legal Aid Council aligns directly with the priorities, deepening access to justice for the poor and indigent while fostering equitable social and economic development across the nation.
“It is reassuring that the leadership of the Council has been entrusted to a distinguished jurist of proven integrity, competence and administrative acumen.
“I have no doubt that, under the chairmanship of Honourable Justice Sulyman Durosinlohun Kawu, a renowned Nigerian jurist and former Chief Judge of Kwara State, this Governing Board will provide the strategic vision, sound
