Reps Move To Review Judicial System, Address Delayed Justice

The House of Representatives has resolved to review Nigeria’s justice and judicial system to restore public trust in the judiciary and address the delay in providing justice.

Therefore, it mandated the Committee on Constitution Review to organise public hearings to permanently address the delay in justice delivery in the country and restore the common man‘s confidence in the judiciary.

This followed adopting a motion moved by Hon Ganiyu Adele Ayuba (APC, Lagos) at the plenary on Wednesday.

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 said one element 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 a court or tribunal established by law.

However, the lawmakers expressed concern that delays in the judicial system were causing concern and gradually undermining the public’s trust in the judiciary.

Ayuba also expressed concern that “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 public’s 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 the law into their hands.