By Disun Amosun
The House of Representatives Wednesdays at plenary took a bold step in addressing delays in justice delivery in Nigeria and restoring public confidence in the judiciary.
To this end, the House mandated its Committee on Constitutional Review to undertake a comprehensive overhaul of the judicial system as it affects criminal, civil and electoral matters.
The Committee, chaired by Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has been tasked with consulting experts, civil societies, and knowledgeable citizens to gather inputs for meaningful reforms with a deadline set for December 2025.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled, “The Need to Review Nigeria’s Justice and Judicial System in Order To Restore Public Trust in the Judiciary and Address the delay in providing Justice” sponsored by Hon. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba.
In moving the motion, Ayuba noted that the Judiciary is the branch of government constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of prompt dispensation of justice and interpreting the laws made by the legislature.
He further noted that the judicial powers are constitutionally vested in various categories of courts legally created by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Acts of the National Assembly, and the laws of different State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.
“One of the elements of fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is the prompt determination of any civil rights and obligations of any person or authority within reasonable time by court or tribunal established by law.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) introduced provisions for quick dispensation of justice, establishing a time frame for election matters, and making the Court of Appeal the final court (in some cases) to hear appeals”, he said.
He expressed worries that delays in the judicial system call for concern and is gradually undermining public trust at that arm of government to promptly dispense Justice.
According to him, in some States, cases in trial courts that should be resolved within months last four to five years before judgement is delivered especially long-term detentions of suspects, prolonged chieftaincy disputes, and unresolved commercial litigation, which pose significant challenges to democratic and economic progress.
The House said public confidence in the court system may be damaged if immediate action is not taken to address the backlog in the justice system and administration, which could force people to decide to take law into their hands.
The Committee is expected to report back to plenary in four weeks for further legislative action.
