Proposed justice system is people-oriented - Aondoakaa

- 28.01.2008

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa, recently said the proposed justice system for Nigeria was people-oriented and was focused on development.

He said this at the fourth edition of the business round table with government held in Abuja. Aondoakaa identified six reform areas that would form the basis of the interventions in the justice ministry in the new dispensation, adding that the administration of justice reform in Nigeria was based on government’s commitment to the rule of law, due process, zero tolerance for corruption and respect for fundamental human rights.

These designated reform areas, he said, covered institutional reforms, administration of criminal justice reform, administration of civil justice reforms, law reform/legislative advocacy, special initiatives, and monitoring and evaluation of reforms.

The AGF also said there were initiatives that would be undertaken to promote and protect the human rights of Nigerians within the country and in diaspora, adding that they included a national action plan for the promotion and protection of human rights in Nigeria which would be presented shortly to the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council.

Aondoakaa also said to strengthen the institutional and legal framework of the National Human Rights Commission and make it an effective citizens’ redress mechanism, a rule of law summit would soon be convened to “achieve a shared understanding among stakeholders on government’s commitment to rule of law and due process.”