The Attorney-General of the Federation of Nigeria, Lateef Fagbemi, has highlighted that insufficient funding is a major barrier to justice sector reforms and effective case prosecution.
On Wednesday, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, expressed concern regarding the slow progression of justice delivery and the implementation of judicial reforms in Nigeria. During a presentation at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, he attributed these delays primarily to inconsistent budgetary allocations and the non-release of funds to the Federal Ministry of Justice. The ministry aims to achieve the targets set out in the National Policy on Justice 2024 and the Strategic Plan for 2023–2027, but ongoing financial constraints have compromised these efforts significantly.
Fagbemi's statements resonated with previous complaints from the Federal Ministry of Justice regarding chronic underfunding and the frequent delays in releasing appropriated funds. Despite the clear mandate to advance judicial reforms, the ministry continues to struggle against a backdrop of inadequate financing, which hampers its ability to execute key initiatives. He emphasized that these financial challenges not only stall reforms but also impact the prosecution of cases, potentially jeopardizing the delivery of justice.
Stakeholders within the justice sector have voiced alarm over how weakened funding leads to serious consequences, including delays in case prosecutions and failures to implement necessary reforms. The urgency of addressing these funding issues is evident, as continued stagnation in financial support could undermine overall judicial efficiency in Nigeria, further complicating the legal landscape and diminishing public trust in the justice system.
