Several Nigerian government agencies, such as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Code of Conduct Bureau, Public Complaints Commission, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the Legal Aid Council, are feeling anxious about potential changes under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
It is rumored that some officials may be fired, while others could be kept on or moved to different agencies as part of a larger plan for justice sector reform.
The reform efforts may also impact the Supreme Court, Courts of Appeal, and High Courts.
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), announced that President Tinubu will kick off Nigeria’s justice sector reform summit on April 24, 2024.
The goal of these reforms is to safeguard citizens’ rights, ensure access to justice, and speed up the legal process.
Many agency leaders are worried about how they might be impacted by the upcoming changes, especially considering the current issues facing the country’s justice system, such as delays in resolving cases.
There is dissatisfaction within the government regarding agencies like the NDLEA, PCC, NHRC, and the correctional service, all of which were reformed in the past.
In particular, the NDLEA is facing scrutiny due to concerns about low prosecution rates, internal conflicts, and perceived inefficiencies.
Although NDLEA Chairman Gen. Buba Marwa has received praise for his work, there are signs that the agency may undergo restructuring soon.
“Apart from the low rate of prosecution of suspects, there was rumpus recently in the NDLEA on alleged lopsidedness in the promotion of workers, and irregularities in rank assignments and regularisation.
“There was also tension on the purported reappointment of the secretary of the NDLEA, Shadrak Usman Haruna, for a second term in office,” a source told Sahara Reporters.
