Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has called on the judiciary to speed up trials for terrorism, human trafficking, kidnapping, and other violent crimes, emphasizing that the courts must support national efforts to tackle insecurity.
Speaking at the Court of Appeal’s 2025/2026 Legal Year ceremony in Abuja, Fagbemi stressed that swift justice can deter impunity and protect citizens.
Fagbemi said: “At this solemn juncture in our national life, it is also impossible to ignore the grave challenge of insecurity that confronts our country. From insurgency and terrorism to banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes, these threats imperil not only the safety of our citizens but also the very fabric of our constitutional democracy.
“The judiciary, as the guardian of justice and the custodian of the rule of law, must lend its weight to national efforts to combat insecurity through firm, consistent and courageous adjudication, the courts can ensure that those who threaten peace and stability are held accountable, that impunity is dismantled, and that the sanctity of human life and property is protected.”
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, also present, promised improved accommodations for judges to boost their performance, saying, “Comfortable housing lets judges focus on justice, free from distractions.”
The government has allocated funds for new judicial residences and begun fencing the Supreme Court to enhance security.
Also, Fagbemi highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to adding more Federal High Court judges to handle terrorism cases promptly.
Wike reaffirmed the FCTA’s support for justice reforms, stating, “Justice must never be compromised—it’s democracy’s bedrock.”
The Court of Appeal is expected to boost efficiency in the new legal year.
