Stakeholders in the justice sector have urged jurists to ensure that justice is accessible to citizens to attain economic growth, peace, and unity in Nigeria.
They made the call during the launch of a report recently released by the Hague Institute of Innovation of Law, HIIL, titled, Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Nigeria, 2023.
The justice sector stakeholders also cautioned that without joint efforts to salvage the judiciary from its numerous challenges, attaining the rule of law in the country might prove unattainable.
In his address, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yakubu Maikyau said that Nigeria’s development depends greatly on implementing a justice program that prioritizes its people.
“Our primary concern is justice for the people, and our goal is to promote the progress of the country. The absence of justice is where anarchy and chaos thrive, and we are committed to preventing this outcome,’’ he said.
Maikyau emphasized that constitutional reforms are the solution to thousands of delayed civil court cases before adjudication.
He suggested that enhancing the salaries and benefits of judges is crucial for ensuring more effective service delivery in the country.
In pursuing people-centred justice, the Hague Institute of Innovation of Law, HIIL country representative, Ifeoma Nwafor, explained that they employ research, stakeholder engagement, and support for innovative solutions in the justice sector.
“HIIL is now asking a question of how best can we deliver justice in a way that the people have their justice needs met. This data is a justice need and satisfaction survey is asking everyday people what their daily justice challenges are, ’’she said.
According to the Justice Needs and Satisfaction in Nigeria, 2023 report, Approximately 81% of Nigerians experienced at least one legal problem in the past year, with many facing multiple problems. Of those who experience at least one legal problem, 52% encounter at least two. Overall, people in Nigeria experience about 184 million legal problems each year.
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