The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has reiterated needs for the ministry to review and validate its draft strategic plan 2023-2027 which was developed and structured in a manner that would meet the key aspirations of the nation, in critical areas such as security, rule of law, and economic well-being of Nigerians.
Fagbemi stated this in his opening remarks at the opening of a 3-Day retreat for its top management staff which was held in Lagos State on Thursday 7th March, 2024.
The theme of the retreat is: “Enhancing Systems and Structures in the Federal Ministry of Justice for Effective Justice Sector Service Delivery.”
The AGF restated the importance of the ministry, saying it is critical to the agenda of the government to build a strong economy, combat corruption and insecurity. He also emphasized on the critical role of Federal Ministry in the overall developmental agenda of the country, as it offers services that impact all areas of national development.
According to him, “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 and people-oriented justice system”.
“This retreat, therefore, affords us the opportunity and the platform to strategize and align our activities in a way that would make the Ministry and its agencies deliver on the justice sector priorities and deliverables.
“For this reason, in developing the Strategic Plan of the Ministry, the Management was guided by provisions and prescriptions in the National Development Plan 2021-2025, the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 25), Ministerial Deliverables under the Renewed Hope Agenda, and the draft revised National Policy on Justice.
“Since the justice sector responsibilities are co-located in different arms of government, as well as agencies and institutions, the realization of this objective will require active collaboration with all justice sector stakeholders on critical and cross-cutting issues affecting the sector.
He explained, “This Top Management Retreat is also crucial as it would provide an opportunity for us to further appreciate our role in delivering on aspects of the eight focus areas and priorities of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Most importantly, this Retreat will prepare and acquaint the Management of the Ministry with the tasks that they are expected to perform with respect to the Performance Bond, which the Solicitor-General of the Federation/Permanent Secretary and I signed with Mr. President on 3rd of November, 2023.
“This is a commitment I would expect from the entire Management in the course of this Retreat. During this Retreat, both the Ministry’s Strategic Plan, 2023 – 2027 and the Work Plan for Year 2024 will be validated. Thereafter, every Director, Head of Zonal Office, and Head of Unit will respectively sign a Performance Bond to fully implement both Plans.
He said, “More than ever before, there are growing expectations on the Ministry, its agencies/parastatals and other justice sector institutions to deliver on their enormous constitutional and statutory responsibilities, which will help in enhancing governance and effective service delivery to our people. His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, has in this regard, mandated the Result Delivery Unit (RDU) in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to track the implementation of respective performance bonds signed by various Ministries and their parastatals.
He advised on the need to strive further, to achieve improvement in all areas mandate. We need to take all necessary steps to surmount all the challenges associated with coordinating justice sector institutions. This retreat therefore affords us the opportunity and the platform to strategize and align our activities in a way that would make the Ministry and its agencies deliver on the justice sector priorities and deliverables.
“I am assured that we have with us legal and management professionals who will share their wealth of knowledge and experience that would keep us abreast with contemporary issues that could support us in realizing our mandate.
“I urge you all to take these deliberations seriously, and to do so with a huge sense of responsibility and open-mindedness. In order to ensure effective implementation of our Ministerial deliverables, there will be a need for close collaboration and cooperation between respective Departments, Zones and Units of the Ministry. I appreciate your commitments to achieving the set goals of our Ministerial Deliverables and urge you all to rededicate yourselves and deliver on this all-important task, which would enable us to build a just and resilient nation founded on the principles of rule of law. We must remain conscious and be guided by the critical role the Ministry plays in the overall developmental agenda of the country.”
While thanking the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the AGF described the choice of Lagos for the Retreat as both deliberate and strategic.
He stated further that the Governor’s presence did not only attested to his interest in supporting measures to enhance the administration of justice but has further exemplified the state preparedness, readiness, disciplined work culture, all of which have made Lagos State the Centre of Excellence in our nation.
“It has been resilient and strategic in tackling contemporary justice sector challenges and successful in developing effective access to justice programmes over the years.
“It was therefore important for us to come here to learn and share experience on challenges and best practices for enhancing systems and structures to support the justice sector.
“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 meet the yearnings of our people for an effective, effective and people-oriented justice system.
In his keynote address, the host, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commended the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, for his steadfastness and commitment to advancing justice in Nigeria.
The theme of the retreat the Governor noted further underscored the pivotal role that the justice system plays in the well-being of the society, noting that “a robust and efficient justice system forms the bedrock of a just and equitable society.”
The Lagos Governor advised the Ministry to adopt a holistic approach that would address not only legal processes but also the social and economic factors influencing the administration of justice in Nigeria.
He stated further: “The challenges we face in our justice sector demand a collective and strategic response. Our duty as stewards of justice is to ensure that the structures in place are not only resilient but also adaptable to the evolving needs of our society. This requires a careful examination of our existing systems, identification of gaps, and a commitment to implementing reforms that will enhance the delivery of justice services to the Nigerian people.
“Our justice system is not an isolated entity; it is intricately linked to the broader societal fabric. As we enhance systems and structures within the Federal Ministry of Justice, let us adopt a holistic approach that addresses not only legal processes but also the social and economic factors influencing the administration of justice.
“In our pursuit of enhanced systems and structures, let us be cognizant of the need for continuous evaluation and adaptation. The dynamic nature of our society demands that our justice system evolve to meet emerging challenges. Regular assessments, feedback loops, and a commitment to continuous improvement will ensure the relevance and effectiveness of our reforms over time.
“Therefore, I invite every one of us to navigate the complexities of justice sector reform with a shared vision of a Nigeria where the rule of law is a beacon of hope and where justice is not an abstract concept but a tangible reality for every citizen. I am confident that our collective efforts will lay the foundation for a more just, equitable, and prosperous nation.”
In her welcome address, the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Mrs. Beatrice Jedy-Agba, OON, mni lauded all the development partners, particularly ROLAC, for their various programmes and initiatives aimed at supporting and reforming justice sector institutions.
She noted: “Over a year ago, the top Management of the Federal Ministry of Justice, gathered in the city of Kano, and set out on a task wherein it identified some key factors and challenges that continue to militate against the enhancement of its working systems and operational structures, which impacts negatively on efficient service delivery to the Nigerian people and Government.
“The identification of these militating factors and challenges led the Management of the Ministry to resolve to develop constructive, cohesive, and durable strategies which would guide the Ministry in improving organizational effectiveness, responsiveness, and resilience in the implementation of its policies, programmes and activities.
“The signing of the Performance Bond with the President further reinforced the commitment of the Management of the Ministry to review its proposed strategic plan, with appropriate underlying values, with the ultimate objective of improving effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery to the Government and people of Nigeria.
‘Arising from these commitments, the Ministry initiated a draft Strategic Plan 2023–2027 along with a Work Plan for Year 2024 for every Department, Zonal Office and Unit of the Ministry. The Strategic Plan further sets out to reposition the Ministry for effectiveness, value addition, as well as the implementation of its Vision and Mission Statements in alignment with Government reform initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Part of what we set out to achieve during this Retreat, is to formally review and validate the Strategic Plan of the Federal Ministry of Justice for Years 2023 – 2027, as well as its Work Plan for Year 2024. We will also discuss and internalize the key issues in these working documents, which will set the stage for effective implementation.
“The draft Strategic Plan and Work Plan have been subjected to wider stakeholder discussions and inputs for the purpose of enriching its provisions and ensuring its acceptability by all. Our ultimate objective is to enhance human capacities, systems and structures for effective and efficient service delivery.
She reiterated” that the positions the ministry occupy entail upholding the public trust and therefore encouraged the strive for excellence in service delivery.
In his goodwill message, Head of Programme Nigeria, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), Danladi Plang stressed the importance of the retreat, saying it is coming at the time the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration rolled out an 8-point agenda that covers rule for law and anti-corruption.
Plang added that it is also a time when technology justice, reproductive justice, electoral justice, climate justice, environmental justice has taken centre stage and more importantly, when President Tinubu is taking bold and decisive decisions.
“The above requires institutions responsible for coordinating the administration of justice to be intentional and deliberate in fashioning a strategy that helps us address the justice needs of Nigerians. The development of a strategic plan by the FMoJ is a right step in the right direction for the above to happen.
“RoLAC is happy to be part of the process of developing the strategic plan which commenced in 2022 with a workshop we supported for the FMoJ in Kano. We look forward to the decision of the retreat and the strategic plan and offer support where we can.
Also present at the were, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the Attorney-General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, and an international development partner, the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (ROLAC).
Modupe Ogundoro
Director, Information
