Osinbajo Advocates People-Centred Justice Reforms

On Tuesday, during the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt, former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, advocated for a people-centred approach to justice reform. Represented by Ade Ipaye, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Osinbajo urged stakeholders in Nigeria's judiciary to align the justice system with the needs of citizens.

He emphasized that justice reform should be data-driven and focused on prioritizing areas like pre-trial detention and legal assistance. Osinbajo stated that early successes in these areas could garner support for more challenging reforms.

He called on the NBA to lead in policy development and professional training while advocating for improved funding in the justice sector. Osinbajo highlighted the significance of pro bono services in enhancing access to justice and stressed that the central issue is not whether reform is needed, but if stakeholders are ready to redesign the system to meet citizens' needs.