The new Attorney General of the Federation faces a series of pressing tasks that demand swift attention. Urgent reforms within the criminal justice system are paramount, particularly addressing the perplexing overlap in the functions of law enforcement agencies like the EFCC and ICPC. A fundamental reshaping is imperative, suggesting the need to compartmentalize EFCC’s responsibilities into investigation while establishing a new National Prosecution Agency.
Another pivotal transformation involves decentralizing the Police Force comprehensively, extending its reach to local, state, and federal levels. Overhauling our antiquated legal framework is an exigent matter. Taking cues from Rwanda’s example of modifying 1000 laws, similar measures are overdue in Nigeria. Additionally, the AGF must prioritize expediting the pace of justice, as the prolonged duration for concluding cases from High Court to Supreme Court is disheartening.
Among the range of tasks, there’s a call to establish specialized dispute resolution agencies catering to sector-specific matters, thus alleviating the congestion within regular courts’ dockets.
Equally crucial is addressing the challenge of overcentralization in our superior courts. The AGF is presented with the opportunity to dismantle the existing highly centralized court structure in Nigeria. A significant constitutional amendment is proposed, envisaging a system of Federal and State Courts. This entails State Courts presiding over matters relevant to their jurisdictions, paralleling the exclusive jurisdiction for Federal Courts in federal-related causes. Such a move will decongest the Supreme Court and allow it to function effectively as the Policy Court it was envisioned to be.
Lateef Fagbemi SAN, our brilliant Attorney General, is poised to undertake these tasks. His reputation as a proficient colleague and my unwavering confidence in his capabilities assures me that these endeavors will be approached with the expertise they demand.
Dr. Olisa Agbakoba SAN
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