Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi has called for stronger community based justice systems and renewed national debate on state policing warning that Nigeria’s security challenges require deeper grassroots intervention rather than exclusive reliance on federal security institutions.
He spoke at the Nigerian Bar Association Nigerian Bar Association Sokoto branch 2026 Law Week where he emphasized that many conflicts escalating into insecurity originate from unresolved local disputes involving land family matters resources and identity which if left unattended can grow into wider crises.
Fagbemi stressed that security begins within communities where citizens interact daily and resolve disputes adding that effective justice delivery at grassroots level remains essential for preventing escalation into violent conflict and broader instability.
He reignited discussions on state policing describing it as a critical reform for improving response time intelligence gathering and cultural understanding within diverse communities across the country while also easing pressure on overstretched federal security agencies.
The Attorney General disclosed that the Federal Government has secured 386 convictions out of 508 terrorism related cases noting that these outcomes reflect commitment to rule of law and confidence in the judiciary as a tool for national security enforcement.
He warned that where impunity thrives insecurity inevitably follows reinforcing the need for stronger legal frameworks effective prosecution and accessible justice systems across all communities in Nigeria.
Earlier the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Sokoto branch Rashida Muhammad said rising insecurity is eroding public confidence and threatening national cohesion describing the situation as a major challenge to governance and social stability.
She said the gathering represented more than a policy discussion but a commitment by stakeholders to take responsibility in addressing threats confronting society and to build consensus for a safer nation through deliberate action and cooperation.
Sokoto State Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening justice sector institutions noting that insecurity remains a major concern capable of undermining governance and social stability in the state.
He disclosed that fourteen judicial officers have been appointed and equipped while key court infrastructure projects are nearing completion as part of efforts to improve justice delivery and strengthen institutional capacity.
Fagbemi concluded by urging collective action stating that sustainable national stability depends on fairness dialogue and consistent application of justice at the grassroots level where trust in institutions is built and maintained.
Legal experts at the event said the remarks reflect long standing debates in Nigeria about decentralisation of policing powers with many stakeholders arguing that the current centralised structure limits rapid response and weakens local intelligence gathering especially in rural communities facing persistent insecurity.
Some participants at the Law Week noted that community based dispute resolution mechanisms traditional mediation systems and alternative dispute resolution frameworks could help reduce the burden on formal courts while preventing escalation of minor disputes into violent conflicts.
Security analysts observing the situation in Sokoto State said the region continues to face challenges linked to banditry farmer herder tensions and cross border movements of armed groups which require coordinated responses from both federal and state authorities.
Civil society organisations also urged stronger investment in justice sector reforms including legal aid expansion improved court infrastructure and greater transparency in prosecution processes to enhance public trust in the legal system.
The discussion also touched on the role of youth engagement and education in preventing crime with speakers emphasising that unemployment and lack of opportunities remain contributing factors to insecurity across several Nigerian states including Sokoto.
Observers at the event highlighted that sustained collaboration between the judiciary executive and security agencies is essential to ensure that reforms translate into measurable improvements in public safety and rule of law enforcement.
In recent years Nigeria has grappled with escalating insecurity driven by insurgency in the northeast armed banditry in the northwest kidnapping networks and communal conflicts in several regions prompting renewed calls for structural reforms in policing governance and justice delivery systems.
The Nigerian Bar Association has increasingly positioned itself as a key stakeholder in national security discussions advocating reforms that strengthen rule of law protect human rights and ensure accountability in security operations across all levels of government.
Justice sector reforms in Nigeria have often been slow due to constitutional constraints funding limitations and overlapping responsibilities between federal and state institutions which stakeholders argue must be addressed to improve efficiency.
International comparisons were also referenced by participants who noted that decentralised policing models in other federal systems have helped improve local responsiveness though they require strong oversight mechanisms to prevent abuse of power.
Stakeholders also emphasised the importance of digital transformation in justice administration including case management systems electronic filing and improved data sharing between security and judicial institutions.
Experts further argued that community trust is central to effective policing and justice delivery noting that where citizens perceive fairness and transparency they are more likely to cooperate with authorities in preventing crime.
However implementation of proposed reforms including state policing and expanded community justice mechanisms faces constitutional debates political considerations funding constraints and concerns from security stakeholders about coordination and command structures.
Despite these challenges advocates maintain that reforming Nigeria’s security architecture remains urgent given the scale of violence and the need to strengthen institutional resilience across all levels of governance.
The Sokoto Law Week therefore served as a platform for renewed dialogue between legal practitioners government officials and civil society actors on the intersection of justice governance and national security highlighting the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in addressing insecurity.
This gathering also reinforced the growing recognition that sustainable peace requires not only security operations but also institutional reforms strengthened legal systems and continuous engagement between government institutions and local communities to ensure that justice delivery remains accessible effective and trusted across Nigeria’s diverse regions.
Officials said continued collaboration and reforms will determine the long term effectiveness of justice and security interventions across the country amid evolving threats and institutional challenges stakeholders expressed cautious optimism.
Add comment
Comments