Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says there is a need to improve the pace of cases in courts across the country.
Professor Osinbajo stated this on Tuesday when six Attorneys-General from the South-West States visited him at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The attorneys during their visit briefed the Vice President on the progress of justice reforms in their various States, many of which they said was inspired by the successes recorded during his stint as Lagos State Attorney-General.
In a statement by his Special Media Aide, Laolu Akande, commending the efforts made so far, Prof Osinbajo said that it is important that the judiciary devotes some time to ensure that cases do not linger too long in the courts anymore.
“I think there is a need for us (especially at the state level), to ensure that prosecutions move quickly,” Akande quoted his principal as saying.
The Vice President who expressed delight at the visit commended the Attorneys-General for the “great work” that has been done in the States, observing the wide range of areas being covered by the Justice Sector Reforms.
He urged the States’ chief law officers to leverage their network and individual positions to effect the desired changes in the justice sector.
The Attorneys-General in separate remarks during the courtesy call praised the VP’s efforts as Lagos State Attorney- General, attributing some of the gains recorded in their states to his innovative ideas.
The guests detailed different initiatives being implemented in their states centering around reforms on the administration of the justice systems such as alternative dispute resolution, access to justice, capacity building for judicial officers, digitization, and general infrastructure upgrade.
The presentations also included social protection objectives and improving the legal framework for enhancing the business environment in the states.
The Attorneys-General and Justice Commissioners were led on the visit by the Ekiti State Attorney-General, Mr. Olawale Fapohunda.
Others were Lagos State Attorney-General, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN; Ondo State Attorney-General, Sir Charles Titiloye; Oyo State Attorney-General, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo; Ogun State Attorney-General, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran; and his Osun State counterpart, Mr. Olufemi Akande.
Referring specifically to ongoing reform efforts in Lagos and other states, Lagos State Attorney General, Mr. Onigbanjo, SAN said “Your Excellency, you laid a solid foundation upon which we are building on today. The reforms initiated by you as AG have been the basis for what we are doing and have done in Lagos.”
In the same vein, the Oyo State AG, Prof. Oyewo noted that “we are proud of your achievements and contributions to the development of the judiciary and this great country.”
On his part, the leader of the delegation and Justice Commissioner of Ekiti State, Mr. Fapohunda said the reform process in the States including in Ekiti is focused on law reform, institutional reform, and general reviews in areas that have a direct impact on the administration of justice system.
He also praised the foundational justice reform works of Prof. Osinbajo in Lagos State.
“I align myself to what has been said, we are proud of what you did as AG in Lagos, some of the things being done today are based on your foundational works,” he concluded.
