Reps decry slow justice delivery, seek reforms – TheNigerialawyer

The House of Representatives has expressed its concerns over the
slow pace of justice delivery in Nigeria, stating the need to carry
out major reforms in the judiciary.

The House Committee on Judiciary at its inaugural meeting in
Abuja on Monday vowed to spearhead the reforms, especially towards
the decongestion of the prisons.

Chairman of the committee, Mr Onofiok Luke, noted that the
oversight role of the lawmakers over the judiciary “is an enormous
task.”

He said, “The enormity of the task is more demanding and
pronounced in a developing democracy like ours where the
independence and operations of our judiciary are constantly under
threat.”

On the reforms, Luke said, “There are a lot of reforms to be
carried in the judiciary. The committee, in synergy with relevant
bodies and stakeholders like the Senate Committee on Judiciary,
Ministry of Justice, the judiciary itself and civil society
organisations, proposes to invigorate the judiciary for effective
performance and quick, efficient justice delivery to the common
man. It is my desire to work with every member of the committee in
repositioning the judiciary and addressing the challenges
confronting it.

“The slow pace of justice delivery and a backlog of matters is a
cause for concern. Some matters spend a minimum lifespan of 10
years before their final adjudication at the apex court – Supreme
Court. Part of this problem is that our legal system allows all
matters to travel to the Supreme Court without limit. Not all
matters should merit the attention of the apex court.

“In developed democracies like the United States, only
constitutional and important matters reach the Supreme Court.
General matters are handled by trial and appellate courts based on
the precedents set by the Supreme Court. We will have to reconsider
our laws to ensure that we do not overburden the Supreme Court,
hence slowing down the pace of justice.”