The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi (SAN), has warned that public trust in Nigeria’s judiciary has been eroded by perceptions of undue influence, inconsistent judgments, and prolonged delays that frustrate justice delivery.
Fagbemi made the remarks at the Supreme Court of Nigeria during the special session marking the commencement of the 2025/2026 legal year and the conferment of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 57 lawyers.
Call for Judicial Integrity
He said while allegations of corruption against judges often lack proof, they nonetheless cast “long shadows” on the institution. According to him, the judiciary must hold itself to the highest standards of accountability, not to public opinion but to the public interest.
“In this climate, the judiciary should discharge that accountability by being principled, independent and impartial,” Fagbemi stated. “It must not only deliver justice but must do so transparently, consistently, and with intellectual rigour.”
The minister stressed that the strength of a judiciary lies in the clarity and courage of its rulings, urging judges to write decisions that resonate not only with lawyers but also with citizens whose lives are shaped by such judgments.
Commends CJN, Supreme Court Decisions
Fagbemi praised Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for steering judicial reforms since assuming office in September 2024. He commended the Supreme Court’s landmark rulings, including its November 2024 decisions affirming the prosecutorial powers of Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies and striking down the National Lottery Act as unconstitutional.
Push for Reform and Digitalisation
The minister pledged continued collaboration with the judiciary on reforms to strengthen independence, improve case management, and reduce delays. He said full digitisation of Supreme Court operations should be prioritised in the new legal year.
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“Our quest for judicial reform is not limited to infrastructure, digitisation, and procedural efficiency,” he noted. “The reforms must extend to our legal philosophy and culture, how we conceive, pursue, and achieve justice.”
Warning to New Senior Advocates
Congratulating the 57 newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Fagbemi urged them to uphold ethical standards and professional excellence. He cautioned against misconduct among senior lawyers, warning that the rank of SAN should not be perceived as conferring immunity from discipline.
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“The Nigerian public, and the world at large, rightly expect, and will judge, us by our conduct both within and outside the courtroom,” he said, citing recent international disciplinary issues that cast the profession in a poor light.
Justice Sector Agenda
Highlighting the Federal Ministry of Justice’s achievements, Fagbemi pointed to progress on the National Justice Policy, collaboration with states to decongest custodial centres, and the review of over 1,500 federal laws. He pledged to consolidate reforms in line with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” with a focus on access to justice and efficiency.
The minister of Justice concluded by urging judicial officers and lawyers to guard the integrity of the profession, describing justice as the bedrock of Nigeria’s democracy.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
