Fagbemi Pushes Digital Reforms To Reset Justice Sector

Attorney-general of the Federation and minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has urged justice sector institutions to adopt SMART performance targets, deepen inter-agency coordination and accelerate digital reforms as part of efforts to reset Nigeria’s justice system and rebuild public confidence.

Speaking at a Justice Sector Retreat yesterday in Abuja, Fagbemi described the gathering as a strategic convergence aimed at recalibrating the nation’s justice architecture to align with the federal government’s governance and reform priorities. He noted that citizens expect a system that works efficiently, delivers fairly and operates with integrity, stressing the need to confront bureaucratic inefficiencies, weak institutional structures and gaps in collaboration that have undermined trust.

He said the justice sector remains central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda on good governance and the rule of law, adding that the 2026 performance management cycle must focus on tangible outcomes.

He noted that reducing case backlogs, modernising legal frameworks and supporting ease of doing business are critical steps toward attracting investment and improving service delivery.

He also challenged prosecution agencies to deploy modern tools to boost conviction rates and accelerate case resolution, while legal aid bodies were encouraged to expand access for indigent citizens. Law reform institutions, he added, must prioritise reviewing outdated legislation, with regulatory agencies embracing digital transformation to reduce delays and improve public access to services.