The attorney-general and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has called for more funding for the ministry to ensure improved performance in 2024.

Mr Fagbemi made this statement on Monday in Abuja when he reviewed the 2023 budget performance of the ministry and defended the 2024 budget at the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

He mentioned that the ministry was allocated N3.3 billion for capital expenditure and N4.6 billion for recurrent expenditure in 2023.

He further stated that, with less than 30 days left in 2023, the ministry had only received releases of N617 million for capital expenditure and N2.734 billion for recurrent expenditure, significantly impacting the ministry’s performance.

Mr Fagbemi emphasised the ministry’s determination to achieve a paradigm shift in 2024, allocating N5.3 billion for capital expenditure and N8.8 billion for recurrent expenditure in the 2024 budget.

He urged the committee to support the ministry, as it plays a fundamental role in driving the current administration’s roadmap for the justice sector.

Legal and judicial reforms are highlighted as vital priority areas under the President’s eight-point agenda.

Mr Fagbemi also pointed out the need for security and confidence of judicial officers during trials, necessitating the chartering of aircraft.

The ministry is also investing in upgrading infrastructural facilities at various venues.

He mentioned the ministry’s efforts in promoting the policy of having state counsels handle more cases on behalf of the government, but there are instances where engaging senior external solicitors becomes inevitable.

Greater funding is required to enhance the capacity and morale of state counsels through regular payment of duty tour allowances and robe allowances, among other expenses.

Mr highlighted the necessity to settle professional fees for private solicitors and emphasised the ministry’s involvement in defending the country in international litigation and arbitration, which are expensive processes.

He discussed the challenge of a backlog of obligations that need to be cleared to sustain the ministry’s efforts in reducing the government’s exposure to judgment debts and ensuring the smooth implementation of government policies and projects without hindrance from litigation.

The ministry is currently defending over 2000 cases on behalf of the federal government and its MDAs, requiring diligent prosecution and effective defence to avoid embarrassment and enforcement actions.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Mohammed Mongonu, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to ask the minister to present a review of the 2023 budget in line with the constitutional responsibility that grants the parliament power to oversee MDAs.

This oversight is designed to ensure that Nigerians receive value for money and to guarantee transparency and accountability in the utilization of funds appropriated to the ministry.

(NAN)