Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), expressed deep concern over the troubling rise in conflicting judgments among High Court judges across the country.
Fagbemi’s remarks, made during a chat with journalists in Ilorin, Kwara State, came on the sidelines of the ongoing three-day conference of the Justice Sector Reform Committee Teams.
The event, organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice and supported by the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme, aims to address critical issues facing the Nigerian justice system.
Fagbemi acknowledged that the issue of conflicting court judgments had been a longstanding problem.
However, he emphasized that efforts were being made to address this issue, with significant progress already seen in recent times.
“The issue of conflicting judgments was a recurring decimal, but you find in recent times that has stopped, and efforts are being made to address this issue,” Fagbemi stated.
He also pointed out that the cause of these conflicting judgments often stems from various factors, including the use of outdated legal procedures and technology, as well as the overzealousness of some litigants.
According to Fagbemi, a major factor contributing to conflicting judgments is the failure of some lawyers to properly disclose previous cases to the court.
Some unscrupulous lawyers fail to inform the court of decisions made in other jurisdictions, potentially resulting in contradictory rulings.
He stressed the importance of embracing technology to solve this issue. “If a case was given in Zaria, for example, the lawyer in Lagos should easily be able to access it,” Fagbemi noted.
To combat this problem, Fagbemi announced that the judiciary had already set up a panel to investigate ways to prevent future occurrences of conflicting rulings.
Fagbemi emphasized that reforming the justice sector remains a central priority for the Nigerian government.
He cited the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on judicial reforms aimed at fostering sustainable socio-economic growth and improving the rule of law.
“The pursuit of justice lies at the heart of our collective aspirations for a fair and equitable society. It is a fundamental pillar upon which the rule of law rests, and it is essential for the maintenance of peace, stability, and social cohesion,” Fagbemi explained.
One of the key aspects of the federal government’s reform agenda is the overhaul of outdated laws.
Fagbemi revealed that he had recently inaugurated the Presidential Committee for the Review and Update of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004. The committee’s task is to identify obsolete laws and update them to align with the current socio-political environment.
Moreover, Fagbemi highlighted the introduction of the National Policy on Arbitration and the National Policy on Justice, both of which provide blueprints for much-needed judicial reforms.
These policies are aimed at improving access to justice, enhancing democratic norms, and strengthening the enforcement of human rights across Nigeria.
The Attorney General also emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation in driving judicial reforms.
Nigeria operates under a federal system, and Fagbemi stressed that it is essential for the central government to collaborate with state governments to address challenges within the justice system.
“We clearly recognize that Nigeria practices a federal system of government, which envisages a synergetic relationship between the center and the sub-nationals, otherwise known as federating units,” he said.
This collaboration, Fagbemi believes, will lead to a more cohesive and efficient justice system in Nigeria.