Governor of Kaduna state, Senator Uba Sani, has said that the fragmented nature of legal reforms in Nigeria is fuelling inefficiencies and undermining public trust in the justice system
Speaking at the Body of Attorneys-General (BOAG) conference in Kaduna on Wednesday, Sani called for collaboration between federal and state governments to carry out a comprehensive legal review across the country
He said, “For too long, the administration of justice in our country has been hampered by a lack of coordinated action.
“We have seen jurisdictional conflicts, duplication of efforts, and a fragmentation of legal reforms that slow down progress and create confusion.”
The governor said the current approach where “federal and state authorities operate in isolation” is a major flaw in Nigeria’s legal system.
“It is a gap that breeds inefficiency, frustrates citizens, and ultimately undermines public confidence in the rule of law,” he said.
Sani said it is time to adopt a robust framework for continuous dialogue and cooperation among legal institutions.
“This is not about one level of government ceding its authority to another. Rather, it is about creating a symbiotic relationship where we can share ideas and address critical gaps,” he stressed.
Sani noted that although states are making efforts to improve their justice systems, “a lack of harmonisation can lead to a patchwork of legal standards across the country”.
“Ultimately, all of our reforms must be judged by whether they improve access to justice for the average Nigerian,” he said.
According to him, Kaduna has initiated a comprehensive review of its state laws and is ready to work with the federal ministry of justice and other states to ensure a more coherent national legal framework.
Also speaking, Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, said the justice system is under pressure due to court delays and a shortage of judicial personnel.
He said, “These delays, often attributed to the shortage of judges, courtrooms, judicial personnel, and accessible legal services, severely strain the system and all its users – litigants, lawyers, judges, and court administrators alike”.
Fagbemi added that the delay in trials is contributing to prison congestion, especially with the rising number of awaiting-trial inmates.
“We cannot continue to treat these symptoms without addressing the root causes,” he said.
He called for a nationwide adoption of technology to improve justice delivery.
“The implementation of electronic case filing systems and the digitisation of court processes have already yielded tangible results in Lagos state and at the National Industrial Court.
“But a piecemeal approach will not suffice. What is required is a national commitment, a unified strategy to mainstream technology as a core enabler of efficient justice delivery,” the justice minister said.
Sani: Fragmented legal reforms, eroding trust in justice system
