NANFeatures/Vol.11/No.130/2017 (Sept. 8)
Ensuring efficient justice delivery for economic growth
A News Analysis by Wandoo Sombo, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Unarguably, investors put their money in an economy that is stable and where the rule of law is supreme.
For this reason, observers note that a legal system that has high respect for the rule of law will attract direct foreign investments for national development.
Considering the importance of efficient justice delivery to the nation’s economic growth, stakeholders in the justice sector recently in Abuja, therefore, adopted the National Policy on Justice aimed at correcting decays inherent in the administration of justice.
The policy is to tackle such problematic issues as delays and lack of public confidence in justice delivery system among other noticeable challenges militating against effective justice delivery.
President of the Senate Bukola Saraki said in his address during the adoption of the policy that its implementation would provide efficient justice delivery system in driving the much needed economic growth and development.
Saraki argued that the public considered the present justice system as deficient in tackling the rising crime waves associated with globalisation, technology and general changes in the society which the policy would address.
He said: “An efficient justice system would not only bring about economic growth and development but would also attract investors to the country.
“Investors will only put their money in a place where there is a functional judicial system and where every citizen is governed in equal measures by the rule of law.’’
He solicited the institutionalisation of judicial reforms to restore the peoples’ confidence in the nation’s justice system, adding that efforts should be made at avoiding unnecessary litigations.
“The success of an effectual judicial system is measured not only by the number of cases that it manages to dispose of but also more important, by the amount of litigation which is avoided,’’ he said.
He further noted that ensuring effective access to justice was one of the major challenges of the justice system and the senate was committed to working with partners to make the system simpler and faster.
Similarly, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami said the policy would provide the needed professional guidance for all justice sector institutions in the discharge of their duties and attainment of an effective and efficient administration of justice.
He explained that the policy set out agreed principles and guidelines for effective and efficient service delivery.
“The policy provides the framework for resolving cross institutional problems developing and managing an all inclusive reforms as well as coordinate the implementation of reforms,’’ he explained.
In his remark, Chief Justice of Nigeria Walter Onnoghen emphasised the need for streamlining the rules of procedure in the courts to reduce delays in the disposal of cases.
He expressed the hope that the policy would achieve its goal of building consensus among justice sector institutions for the purpose of addressing the major challenges facing justice delivery.
He said although uniformity might not be achieved due to diverse religions and cultures, the goal should be to achieve and ensure fair play and equity.
In the same vein, at a recent event in Osogbo, Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun admitted that effective delivery of justice was fundamental to social and economic growth.
He emphasisied the need for every individual to have access to justice, insisting that no economy could grow where there is injustice.
Stakeholders, nonetheless, observed that there have been several reviews and reforms in the justice sector and justice delivery in the country is still below the expectations of Nigerians.
According to them, previous reviews lack the basic ingredients necessary to address the root causes of the failure of the justice system in the country because each institution in the sector works independently.
They, therefore, call on relevant authorities to present a common front in confronting the challenges in the justice sector in the implementation of the policy.
Some of the objectives of the National Policy on Justice include ensuring a fair and speedy dispensation of justice and effective enforcement of court decisions.
It also seeks to preserve and maintain the plural character of the Nigerian legal system; promote independence and impartiality of the judiciary; engender synergy and cooperation across the justice sector nationally and at both federal and state levels.
The policy will promote human rights and access to justice for all, especially the poor, weak and vulnerable.
Others objectives are to ensure openness, transparency and accountability in the justice sector and its capacity to curb corrupt practices and abuse of office.
The 34-page document with 17 thematic areas provides a blueprint which outlines the various reforms desirable in the justice sector to engender smooth, fair, just and transparent administration of justice in the country.(NANFeatures)
**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)