Malami Advocates Transparency In Judicial Spending, Says Trial Of Boko Haram Suspects To Commence Soon

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN has urged the judiciary to be more transparent in the utilization of budgetary allocation on its financial expenses.

He also indicated that Machineries are in motion to ensure the continuation of courts sitting in kainji, New Bussa for prosecution of Boko Haram cases.

Malami spoke on Tuesday at two different fora: Justice Sector Summit 2022 with the theme “Devising Practical Solutions Towards Improved Performance, Enhanced Accountability and Independence in the Justice Sector” held in Abuja and while receiving the Nigerian Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherland, Dr. Eniola Ajayi.

Malami maintained that there was the need for the judiciary sector to “open its own book” the same way and manner the legislature and executive subject themselves for scrutiny.

Malami urged the judiciary to live up to its responsibility and support initiative that will bring the desired result in administration of justice the country.

On the appointment of the Judges Malami said, the extant Nigerian laws made the criteria for such appointment very clear.

He said to enhance the quality of the system, there has to be accommodation of merits for consideration as the basis for appointment as against certain standards.

Further, Malami commended the Ambassador Dr. Eniola Ajayi for her tireless efforts and patriotism recalling that Nigeria has cooperated fully with the court through submission of relevant documents which eventually led to its exoneration.

“With due diligence to Nigeria’s mandate under Article 86 of the Rome Statute of ICC, Nigeria cooperated fully with the court through submission of relevant documents, reports of panels of enquiry etc.”

He noted that a committee has already been established for the domestication of Rome Statute in Nigeria.

Speaking earlier, the Ambassador expressed willingness to continue her patriotic service in the interest of the nation.

She promised to rededicate efforts to make positive impact in the discharge of her duties.