The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has clarified that the on-going reforms of the country’s judiciary is aimed at making justice accessible to poor and indigent Nigerians in line with the 1999 Constitution.

He assured that when fully completed, the

reforms will make the legal system more efficient, transparent, accountable and fundamentally people-centered.

Fagbemi spoke on Wednesday in Abuja while inaugurating the Justice Sulyman Durosinlorun Kawu-led Governing Board of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria.

To make the reforms more meaningful, the AGF charged the Board to come up with strategic steps that will reduce detention facility congestion, clear court dockets and safeguard fundamental human rights at early contact points.

The minister explained that the inauguration of the Board was critical to the attainment of the present administration’s priority areas, as it is one of the measures to attain the far-reaching legal and

“From strengthening citizen rights to expediting trials, our collective resolve is to ensure that the Legal Aid Council aligns directly with the priorities, deepening access to justice for the poor and indigent while fostering equitable social and economic development across the nation.

“It is reassuring that the leadership of the Council has been entrusted to a distinguished jurist of proven integrity, competence and administrative acumen.

“I have no doubt that, under the chairmanship of Honourable Justice Sulyman Durosinlohun Kawu, a renowned Nigerian jurist and former Chief Judge of Kwara State, this Governing Board will provide the strategic vision, sound policy direction and effective oversight envisaged by the Legal Aid Act.

“With his wealth of judicial experience and the collective expertise of the eminent members of this Board, I am confident that the Legal Aid Council will continue to strengthen access to justice for indigent and vulnerable Nigerians while remaining steadfast in the discharge of its statutory mandate.

“The Legal Aid Council serves as the moral compass of our justice delivery system. In a society where economic disparities can hinder the assertion of basic rights, the Council ensures that poverty is never a bar to justice.

“To give concrete expression to this duty, Section 19 of the Act specifically mandates the Council to visit correctional facilities, police cells, and detention centers to monitor awaiting-trial inmates.

“I therefore charge the Board to provide strong policy direction so that Management can aggressively deploy operational mechanisms, including the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) and the Court Duty Solicitors Scheme (CDSS) to reduce detention facility congestion, clear court dockets, and safeguard fundamental human rights at early contact points.

“Furthermore, the Board must note that navigating current operational challenges requires both strategic vision and innovative resource management.

“I urge this Board to key into the ongoing reforms under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and actively contribute to its legislative amendments so that our legal frameworks remain responsive to contemporary realities and global best practices.

“You must look beyond traditional budgetary allocations by cultivating partnerships with development partners, strengthening pro bono networks with the Nigerian Bar Association, leveraging legal technology, and building seamless inter-agency synergy with the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, and civil society.

“Let me emphasize that the mandate of the Legal Aid Council is directly central to the legal reform agenda of the Federal Ministry of Justice and the priority areas of the President.

“Access to justice is not a luxury; it is a prerequisite for national security, public trust, and socio-economic harmony. The Ministry remains fully committed to supporting the Council through policy coordination, inter-agency advocacy, and institutional strengthening.

“I must emphasize that your role is strategic oversight and policy direction, and not administration. Your oversight functions are limited to adopting policy measures to support the mandates of the council and ensure their activities are pursued with efficiency, in order to achieve maximum impact.

“Please note that the Board is not to descend into or interfere with the day-to-day management of the Council. I have no doubt that the principles of good governance, institutional discipline and respect for established boundaries between oversight and management are already well ingrained.

“I am confident that this Board will provide the strategic direction and oversight envisaged by the Legal Aid Act while allowing Management the operational latitude necessary for the efficient administration of the Council.

“You can count on my support and continued engagement to ensure that we achieve a justice system that is accessible to all irrespective of financial status,” Fagbemi said.