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The House of Representatives has resolved to address delayed delivery of justice in Nigeria.
Consequently, the House has mandated its Committee on Constitutional Review to undertake a comprehensive look into the justice and judicial system.
The Benjamin Kalu-led committee was particularly tasked with consulting experts, civil society, and citizens to gather inputs for meaningful reforms with a December 2025 deadline.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion titled, “The need to review Nigeria’s justice and judicial system to restore public trust in the judiciary and address the delay in providing justice,” sponsored by the member representing Alimosho Federal Constituency, Lagos State, Mr Ganiyu Ayuba.
Ayuba had argued that the judiciary was expected to live up to its responsibility of quick dispensation of justice and interpreting the laws made by the legislature.
He said, “One of the elements of fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is the prompt determination of any civil rights and obligations of any person or authority within reasonable time by court or tribunal established by law.
“The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) introduced provisions for quick dispensation of justice, establishing a time frame for election matters, and making the Court of Appeal the final court (in some cases) to hear appeals.”
He expressed worries that delays in the nation’s judicial system were gradually eroding public trust in the judiciary.
According to him, cases in trial courts in some states last longer than necessary, stressing that justice delay is often justice denied.
The House further noted that public confidence in the court system may be damaged if immediate action was not taken to address the backlog in the justice system and administration, a development, it added, may force people to take laws into their own hands.
The committee is expected to report back in four weeks for further legislative action.
