FMJ, NBA, NJC Convene National Summit On Justice 2024 To Reposition Nigeria’s Justice System

The Federal Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the National Judicial Council, and other partners, has announced the National Summit on Justice 2024, scheduled to take place from April 24th to 25th in Abuja, Nigeria.

The summit, themed “Repositioning the Justice System: Constitutional, Statutory & Operational Reforms for Access and Efficiency,” aims to bring together legal experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to address critical issues in the Nigerian justice system and propose reforms for improved access and efficiency.

The two-day event will be chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, with the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, CON, as the Special Guest. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, will serve as the Chief Host of the summit.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, will grace the occasion as the Special Guest of Honor. The summit will feature a keynote address by Dr. Willy Mutunga, EGH, former Chief Justice of Kenya, who will share his insights and experiences in reforming the justice system.

Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, OON SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, will serve as the Co-Convener of the summit. The event is supported by international organizations such as UNICEF, International IDEA, the European Union, and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

The National Summit on Justice 2024 will focus on constitutional, statutory, and operational reforms necessary to enhance access to justice and improve the efficiency of the judicial process. Topics to be discussed may include judicial independence, court modernization, alternative dispute resolution, legal aid, and the role of technology in the justice system.

The summit is expected to foster collaboration among key stakeholders and contribute to the ongoing efforts to strengthen the rule of law and promote public confidence in the judiciary. The organizers believe that the outcomes of the summit will serve as a catalyst for positive change and contribute to the development of a more accessible, efficient, and equitable justice system in Nigeria.

Physical attendance at the summit is by invitation only. The event will commence at 8:00 AM prompt on both days at a venue in Abuja, Nigeria.

The National Summit on Justice 2024 represents a significant step towards addressing the challenges in the Nigerian justice system and driving meaningful reforms. The Federal Ministry of Justice, the Nigerian Bar Association, the National Judicial Council, and their partners are committed to working together to ensure the success of the summit and the implementation of its recommendations for the betterment of the Nigerian justice system.