We’re concerned about rule of law – FG

The federal government has re-affirmed its determination to firmly entrench the concept of the rule of law in the country, with the fight against graft taking a centre stage, adding that entrenching the rule of law was the federal government’s major concern.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said this at the opening of a retreat for top management staff of the Federal Ministry of Justice held in Kano Friday.

He said the management retreat “provides the opportunity for review and self-assessment of the ministry’s achievements so far, identifying the challenges and areas that require revitalisation, to come up with innovative ideas to enhance effective service delivery.”

“I am assured that we have here with us in this retreat, legal experts and management professionals, who will share their wealth of knowledge and experience and keep us abreast with contemporary issues that could support us in actualising this mandate,” he said.

The minister said the Federal Ministry of Justice “is a legacy Ministry that succeeded the Colonial Legal Department, thereby making it one of the oldest ministries in Nigeria that came into existence at independence in 1960.”

“It is extremely important to note that the Federal Ministry of Justice is cardinal to the agenda of the government to build a strong and diversified economy, improve infrastructure and combat the twin malaise of corruption and insecurity. Our duties as state counsel or administrators are an amalgamation of law and policy.”

Speaking while declaring the retreat open, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state, represented by his deputy, Dr. Nasir Yusif Gawuna, described the retreat as “timely.”

“In our efforts to enhance the coordination of justice service delivery in our state, the government enacted Kano State Justice

Reform Law 2013, which created the Kano Justice Reform Team, with a mandate to improve justice delivery to individuals, commercial organisations, and other parties through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms,” he said.

The retreat themed Enhancing Systems and Structures in the Federal Ministry of Justice for Effective Justice Sector Service Delivery was attended by top management staff of the ministry and other stakeholders.