By Ebere Agozie
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law (HiiL) have reiterated their commitment to advance community based justice reforms.
They made the commitment in Abuja on Sunday at a stakeholder dialogue on People-Centred Justice (PCJ) by the Attorneys General from the 36 states of the federation.
The NGF Director-General, Abdulateef Shittu, underscored the critical role of Attorneys General in driving reforms, noting that they were critical to driving the process in their respective states.
“Today’s dialogue is designed to enable states to share ideas, experiences, and lessons on justice sector reforms. We want to see justice not just as a sector, but as a driver of peace, development, and trust.
“Our peace-building commissions in Plateau, Kaduna, and Adamawa are already functioning as a network. We can see the results of this non-kinetic approach to solving issues.
“It is time to extend this model to all 36 states. Our secretariat is committed to supporting states in adapting reforms to their unique contexts and linking them with development partners to ensure sustainability,’’ he said.
Ms Ijeoma Nwafor, the HiiL Country Representative, emphasised the importance of measurable outcomes in justice reform.
“Justice reforms often struggle to attract funding because outcomes are seen as intangible, but with people-centred justice, we can demonstrate real impact.
“Our tools, guidelines, pilot programmes, and strategy documents show donors and policymakers that justice can be measured, tracked, and improved.
“People-centred justice promotes the recognition of informal justice mechanisms by the formal system.
“This is particularly important in land disputes, where informal resolutions are faster and cheaper and by integrating them into the formal system. We make justice more accessible and sustainable,” she said.
Prof. Ben Odoh, Chairman of the Body of State Attorneys General and Attorney General of Ebonyi State, reflected on Nigeria’s evolving justice system.
Odoh said the justice system, prior to 2015, was retributive Administration of Criminal Justice Act domesticated by the 36 states but had become a justice system that uses reconciliation, restoration, reintegration, and re-institution.
“That alone is a holistic people-centred system,’’ he added.
Justice Gboyega Ogunfowora, a High Court judge in Ogun, reiterated the importance of strengthening informal justice mechanisms.
“The formal justice sector needs help and that help can only come from us stimulating and ensuring that the informal justice sector works.
“By empowering communities we reduce the burden on courts and make justice more immediate and meaningful,” Ogunfowora said..
Other participants echoed similar sentiments, stressing that justice should be brought closer to the people, with reforms tailored to meet local realities.
They reinforced the need for collaboration across ministries, agencies, and communities.
The Attorneys General pledged to take lessons back to their states, adapt them to local contexts, and implement reforms that prioritize citizens’ everyday justice needs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the high-level workshop set the stage for collaborative, inclusive, and accessible justice solutions across Nigeria.
The dialogue followed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NGF and HiiL, cementing a shared vision to transform Nigeria’s justice landscape.
At the heart of the discussions was HiiL’s Justice Needs and Satisfaction (JNS) survey, which highlights the scale of unresolved justice problems across Nigeria.
The survey reveals that millions of citizens continue to rely on informal justice pathways due to challenges of accessibility, affordability, and timeliness within the formal system. (NAN)
Edited by Uche Anunne
