Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) yesterday said Nigeria was working with foreign nations to recover more looted funds.
He said his ministry was rallying anti-corruption agencies to speed up the prosecution of corrupt persons.
It is also engaging with the police and other agencies on issues bordering on the rules of law, administration of criminal justice and Correctional Centres reforms.
Also yesterday, Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), stressed the need for speed and efficiency in the justice delivery.
He said an efficient system will attract more investments to drive development.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Olanipekun Olukoyede urged the National Assembly to enact a law to strengthen the whistleblower policy.
Fagbemi, Pedro and Olukoyede spoke during breakout sessions at the ongoing Annual General Conference (AGC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Lagos.
The AGF said the National Justice Summit organised by his ministry produced the National Justice Roadmap that guides its work.
He called for the support of Nigerians in the anti-graft war and in justice sector reforms.
Pedro, speaking during a Lagos exhibition at the NBA conference, said the current pace of justice is insufficient.
He believes significant changes were necessary to support economic growth and investment.
“The way we administer justice must change. It’s no longer enough to provide access to justice.
“We must ensure that cases are resolved promptly, as justice delayed is justice denied,” Pedro said.
He said the state was committed to reducing the time it takes to resolve cases in court.
The goal, he said, is to set a new benchmark for civil cases to be completed within two years.
Pedro believes landlord-tenant disputes should be resolved in no more than six months.
This, he said, will encourage investment and economic activity.
On the review of judicial officers’ salaries, Pedro said Lagos would continue to take the lead in caring for members of the Bench.
“Lagos has always been different. Even before the federal review, our compensation structure for judicial officers was already above par compared to most other states,” he said.
He promised that the state government would soon unveil new initiatives to enhance magistrates’ working conditions.
“There’s something significant coming for our magistrates, and Mr. Governor will announce it in due time—likely within the next two to three months,” Pedro revealed.
EFCC boss seeks law strengthening whistle-blower policy
Speaking on the theme: “Lawyers in the spotlight: essential anti-money laundering considerations for the legal profession,” Olukoyede said a law is needed to make it mandatory for law enforcement agencies to protect whistleblowers.
The EFCC boss urged lawyers not to indulge in activities that will encourage crimes.
He asked them not to protect suspected criminals as they must bring any person who has committed financial crimes to court.
“Don’t try to protect suspected criminals and people who must have committed financial crimes.
“If you know where, who, or whatever we are looking for, you must bring that person to the open and we will do our own part,” he said.
On the challenges of delayed trials, Olukoyede stressed that the EFCC will ensure that cases are prosecuted no matter how long it takes, with strict adherence to the law.
EFCC chairman charged lawyers to perform their civic responsibilities as Nigerians and highlighted the importance of mutual respect between them and the EFCC.
He called for dignity in the way legal professionals and law enforcement agents handle their roles.
“We are all Nigerians before becoming lawyers, you have a duty to perform.
“Being a lawyer does not exempt you from your civic responsibilities. Comply and do the right thing.
“Under my watch, everyone that comes to the EFCC will be treated with dignity, regardless of the circumstances,” he said.
‘Police efficient with ACJA’
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Intelligence, Dasuki Galadanci, said the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) is helping the Police to be efficient and effective.
“ACJA helps the police in case file management. It ensures that the police are open, sincere and transparent in carrying out their job.
“It also helps the police in making sure that we work as a team with Judges, Magistrates and the Correctional Services to look at issues objectively to help one another,” he said.
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