AGF: FG Set to Implement Four-year Justice Sector Plan
The Federal Ministry of Justice is set to implement its four-year justice sector plan, Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has said.
The plan encompasses his focus and priority programmes.
Fagbami made aspects of the proposal public during a three-day top management retreat of the Federal Ministry of Justice in Lagos.
The retreat is ongoing.
The minister said the time spent so far in office has enabled him to critically analyse the National Policy on Justice 2017-2021 and the ministry’s draft Strategic Plan 2023–2027.
He has also reviewed critical legislations, policies, regulations and guidelines relevant to the implementation of the ministry’s vision, mission and mandate as well as that of its agencies/parastatals.
The outcomes informed his decision to focus on key priority programmes, which are in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda and of the Tinubu Administration.
These include the implementation of the Justice Sector Plan 2023 – 2027.
He said following the signing of a performance bond with ministers and permanent secretaries to ensure a baseline for the scorecard of ministries, he committed to ensuring the performance of the ministerial deliverables assigned to the Justice Ministry and its agencies.
The sector plan, he said, contains 15 ministerial deliverables; 48 key performance indicators (KPIs); baselines and targets.
“The entire top management will be held accountable for delivering on these assurances made to the President,” Fagbemi said.
Also to be implemented is the ministry’s Strategic Plan 2023- 2027, which contains six goals, 17 objectives, 54 strategies, and 160 initiatives.
Fagbemi said the plan provides the basis for the review of laws and the development of legislation that will support economic recovery and growth.
It entails the prosecution of terrorism and terrorism financing cases to improve security, as well as the provision of legal advisory services on security-related matters.
The plan involves undertaking measures to strengthen the enforcement of human rights through the adoption of relevant legislative frameworks, and implementation of United Nations recommendations on the prevention of torture and sexual and gender-based violence.
Also embedded in the plan is access to justice for victims of rights abuses.
The AGF said measures will be developed to reduce government exposure to legal risks and judgment debts through an enhanced appeal mechanism.
Under the plan, the ministry, he said, will provide legal intervention and mediation services to enhance access to justice, uphold the rule of law and prevent the breakdown of law and order.
It includes supporting the Judiciary to facilitate the justice delivery process; and reviewing legal frameworks aimed at improving anti-corruption measures, among others.
Part of the strategies, Fagbemi noted, is the strengthening of collaboration and coordination with relevant justice sector actors, bodies, policies and programmes.
Justice sector reform programmes to be focused on, he said, are the development of the national crime database, coordination of prosecuting agencies, improved funding of the criminal justice sector, capacity building of criminal justice actors, and review of international arbitration proceedings.
Fagbemi also proposed the launch and implementation of the National Anti–Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2022-2026 and its action plan.
On the essence of the retreat, he said: “It was important for us to come to Lagos to learn and share experience on challenges and best practices for enhancing systems and structures to support the justice sector.
“The Federal Ministry of Justice plays a very critical role in the overall developmental agenda of the country, as it offers services that impact all areas of national development.
“The role of the Ministry is critical to the agenda of the Government to build a strong economy and combat corruption and insecurity.
“Our duties are an amalgamation of law and policy.
“It is, therefore, critical that we continually review our operational strategies to enable us to meet the yearnings of our people for an effective, effective and people-oriented justice system.”
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu called for a justice system that fosters a sense of trust and confidence in the citizens.
Delivering the keynote address, he said the legal structures must not only be resilient but adaptable to the evolving needs of society.
The governor said: “As we delve into discussions, we should all keep in mind the overreaching goal to build a justice system that not only dispenses justice but fosters a sense of trust and confidence within our citizens.
“Success of all your efforts will be measured by the positive impacts felt by ordinary Nigerians that are seeking justice.”
