The federal government has embarked on moves to adopt technology to ease the delivery of Justice in the country.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), disclosed this during a retreat for top management staff of the Ministry of Justice.
The retreat with the theme: ”Positioning for Digital Transformation” is being held at the Four Point by Sheraton hotel, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom state.
Fagbemi revealed that he has ordered departments, units and directorates of the Justice Ministry to align their priorities with established digital frameworks such as the
Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25), the National Policy on Justice, as well as the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He said, ”The justice sector is one of the catalysts for national development. There can be no sustainable growth without access to justice, respect for the rule of law, and a strengthened justice system.
“The criminal justice sector, in particular, faces daunting challenges: inadequate access to justice, overcrowded correctional facilities, delays in trials, and other systemic inefficiencies. These issues require urgent and technology-driven solutions.
”Furthermore, with the increasing reliance of citizens on technology to access services, the Ministry can no longer depend solely on traditional modes of communication or manual processes.
“If we are to meet the expectations of Nigerians and support the President’s vision for justice sector reforms, we must embrace digital tools that guarantee timely and efficient service delivery.
”The Ministry must therefore take the lead in adopting technology to enhance justice delivery. The challenges of today demand that justice never sleeps. With growing legal demands and societal pressures, we must adopt innovative strategies to keep the wheels of justice continuously in motion.
”I therefore charge all Departments, Units, and Directorates to align their priorities with the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP25), the National Policy on Justice, and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
”These frameworks all underscore the centrality of technology in service delivery. Our task must go beyond compliance; it must embody proactive leadership in implementation, characterised by digital transformation, agile governance, strategic foresight, and data-driven decision-making.”
In his remarks, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Uno Eno, who declared the retreat opened, appreciated the Minister of Justice for taking bold reforms aimed at strengthening the justice sector administration in the country.
He said such initiatives align with the ARISE agenda of the state government, adding that Akwa Ibom has fully embraced e-governance.
