The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee Constitutional Review to permanently address the delay in justice delivery in the country.

This, the House said, was in a bid to restore the confidence of the common man in the judiciary and report back within four (4) for further legislative action.

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion titled: “The Need to Review Nigeria’s Justice and Judicial System to Restore Public Trust in the Judiciary and Address the Delay in Providing Justice” sponsored by Hon. Ganiyu Adele Ayuba.

The House noted that the Judiciary is the branch of government constitutionally saddled with the responsibility of prompt dispensation of justice and interpreting the laws made by the legislature.

It also noted that the judicial powers are constitutionally vested in various categories of courts legally created by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Acts of the National Assembly, and the laws of different State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.

The House said it was aware that one of the elements of fair hearing as enshrined in Section 36(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) is the prompt determination of any civil rights and obligations of any person or authority within reasonable time by court or tribunal established by law.

It said it was also aware that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) introduced provisions for quick dispensation of justice, establishing a time frame for election matters, and making the Court of Appeal the final court (in some cases) to hear appeals.

The House worried that delays in the judicial system call for concern and gradually undermine the public’s trust in the judiciary.

It also worried that in some States, cases in trial courts that should be resolved within months last four to five years before judgment is delivered especially long-term detentions of suspects, prolonged chieftaincy disputes, and unresolved commercial litigation, which pose significant challenges to democratic and economic progress.

The House said the public’s confidence in the court system may be damaged if immediate action is not taken to address the backlog in the justice system and administration, which could force people to decide to take the law into their own hands.