The Federal Government Executive Council has approved a justice
sector policy for the country essentially to reform the sector by
simplifying access to justice.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,
Mr Abubakar Malami, who spoke on the issue, explained that the
policy would ensure “speedy determination of justice” and fairness
to all Nigerians.
Malami spoke further, “The purpose is to have speedy
administration of justice, quality administration of justice and
access to justice for all.
“That is in a nutshell the justice sector policy that was
approved by the council.”
The FEC meeting, which was presided over by President Muhammadu
Buhari, also approved a memo seeking to amend the Geneva Convention
Act 2004 to “accord greater access to justice by prisoners of
war.”
The Geneva Convention is domesticated in Nigeria as Geneva
Convention Act Cap G3, of the Law of the Federation of Nigeria
2004.
Malami said Nigeria was behind the rest of the world in terms of
according prisoners of war certain rights and privileges.
The minister explained the purpose of the Geneva Convention,
saying, “It is a convention that was designed to provide protection
to prisoners of war; to people involved in armed conflicts and
associated infractions.
“For example, there has been in existence a policy that accords
protection to prisoners of war; what you can do to them; the level
which you can approach them; the type of protection you can afford
to civilians during times of war and conflicts.”
On why the amendment became necessary, Malami added, “With
emerging trends, particularly as they relate to best practices, the
need arises for us to amend our laws to be at par with
international best practices.
“To this effect, the amendment, among other things is to accord
greater access to justice by prisoners of war in cases of
breach.”
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