The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has voiced his concerns about the current condition of the Nigerian judicial system. Speaking during the inauguration of the N37 billion Abuja Division of the Appeal Court Complex at Daki-Biyu, a project led by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Fagbemi highlighted that the judiciary is now primarily accessible to politicians and influential individuals.
Fagbemi lamented the shift away from the judiciary being seen as the last resort for the common man, stating that it is now predominantly utilized by the powerful. He remarked, “Gone are the days when the judiciary was regarded as the last hope of the common man. I take objection to it. It is the big people now who patronise the judiciary, not even the common man. If you have any doubt, the election is approaching, come and see the way, with all due respect, some people behave like rain-beaten chickens. Forgive me, I don’t mean to be rude. So, the judiciary is no longer the last hope of the common man alone; it is also, or majorly now, the last hope of the big shots.”
Despite his critique, Fagbemi expressed optimism that the new complex would serve as a venue for truth and the protection of people’s rights. The project, with N30 billion already approved by President Bola Tinubu for the 2024 budget, is slated for completion by September 2025.
Credit: Sahara Reporters