By Vivian Okejeme Abuja
Senate President Bukola Saraki, has stressed the importance of an effi cient justice delivery system in driving the muchneeded economic growth and development of the country. Saraki made this call at the fi rst ever National Summit on Justice, to present a common front by stakeholders in confronting challenges in the justice sector. He stated this against the perceived failure of the current justice system in tackling rising crime waves associated with globalization, technology and general changes in the society. Represented by Senator David Umoru of Niger state, the Senate President stressed that an effi cient justice system would not only bring about economic growth and development, but also attract investors.
“Effi cient justice delivery is also central to the nation’s economic growth, development and the socio-economic wellbeing of citizens. Investors will only put their money in a place where there is a functional judicial system and where every citizen is governed in equal measures by the rule of law.” Commending the Abubakar Malami- led Justice Ministry for the initiative, he called for the institutionalization of judicial reforms in order to restore the people’s confi dence in the nation’s justice system. On access to justice as a major challenge in the justice system, Saraki, pledged the commitment of the legislature in partnering with relevant stakeholders in making the justice system simpler and faster. “We have, in our ongoing constitutional amendment process, ensured that most submissions from the judiciary aiming to strengthen the justice systems were eff ectively considered,” he said.
He added that the National Assembly, in recent times, had passed a number of bills, which according to him, were very important in strengthening the war against corruption, adding that in no distant time it will consider and pass into law the Proceeds of Crime Bill. Th e 39- page document with 17 themes also provides a blueprint which outlines the various reforms desirable in the justice sector to engender smooth, fair, just and transparent administration of justice in the country.
