In a recent statement, renowned legal expert Dr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, emphasized the urgent need for reform in Nigeria’s judiciary under the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). Agbakoba noted a significant decline in public trust and called for a complete overhaul of the operating model of the courts.
“The new CJN must work very hard to rebuild public trust in the judiciary, which, sadly, has declined,” he said. He highlighted that the lengthy duration of legal proceedings, with cases taking up to 20 years to reach the Supreme Court, undermines confidence, particularly among investors.
Agbakoba proposed the establishment of a “Speed of Justice programme,” advocating for modern rules of procedure that reflect contemporary judicial needs. He pointed out that the current procedural rules are outdated, being a modified version of English rules from nearly a century ago.
He stated, “Achieving a new, modern operating model is not necessarily by the appointment of a bench of new judges, but by enhancing the capacity and productivity of each judge.” According to Agbakoba, judges should be empowered with transformational rules that allow them to operate around the clock, enabling claims to be filed at any time, even at midnight.
He stressed the importance of case management powers for judges, asserting that the objective should be to handle cases expeditiously and deliver timely results to court users. “In much the same way a medical doctor treats patients with measurable results, the introduction of modern tools and rules of procedure will change the face of our courts,” he explained.
Reflecting on past judicial reforms, Agbakoba recalled the late Chief Justice Dahiru Musdapher, who he believed laid the groundwork for necessary transformation. “The only Chief Justice of Nigeria who created the momentum for transformation was the late Dahiru Musdapher (may God rest his soul). I was his assistant, so I speak firsthand. Unfortunately, CJN Musdapher’s tenure lasted only six months,” Agbakoba noted, urging the current CJN to consider the “Musdapher report.”
He concluded with a message of support, wishing the new CJN every success in her endeavors to revitalize the Nigerian judiciary.
