Push for Justice Reform Gains Momentum as AGF Backs Practical Legal Training for Young Lawyers

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria’s drive to strengthen its criminal justice system received a fresh boost on Thursday as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, threw his weight behind practical legal training as a catalyst for reform, urging emerging lawyers to take ownership of the country’s rule of law.

Speaking in Abuja through his representative, Hauwa Dimka, at the Administration of Criminal Justice Academy Moot Competition, Fagbemi underscored the urgent need to move beyond theoretical legal education to hands-on experience that prepares young practitioners for the realities of Nigeria’s justice system.

The competition, organised by the Juristrust Centre in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, was framed not just as a student exercise, but as a strategic intervention in addressing longstanding gaps in legal training and justice delivery.

Fagbemi described Nigeria’s justice sector as one that requires bold, skilled and ethically grounded professionals, noting that the success of reforms such as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 hinges on the capacity of lawyers to interpret and apply the law effectively.

He warned that without a new generation of competent and reform-minded legal practitioners, even the most progressive laws risk falling short of their intended impact.

“The future of justice in Nigeria depends on how well prepared you are today,” he said, charging participants to embrace integrity, professionalism and courage in the face of systemic challenges.

The event also drew attention to the growing role of non-state actors and international partners in shaping Nigeria’s legal landscape, particularly in promoting accountability, efficiency and innovation within the justice system.

Executive Director of the Juristrust Centre, Adedeji Adekunle, said the initiative was deliberately designed to expose students to real-life courtroom dynamics and critical thinking, equipping them to confront practical legal challenges early in their careers.

He noted that participants from universities across the country demonstrated not only academic excellence but also a deepening understanding of justice as a tool for societal transformation.

Reinforcing the importance of mentorship and innovation, Kole Shettima of the MacArthur Foundation called on young lawyers to rethink traditional approaches to legal practice by embracing technology and new ideas that can improve access to justice.

Similarly, the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Cheikh Touré, highlighted the broader implications of the initiative, describing it as a pipeline for grooming the next generation of justice sector leaders.

He stressed that beyond advocacy skills, the competition instils values of fairness, discipline and ethical responsibility—qualities he said are essential for restoring public trust in the justice system.

Themed “From Theory to Trial: Mentorship Pathways for Emerging Criminal Lawyers in Nigeria,” the event culminated in a high-stakes moot court finale, showcasing the talents of law students from multiple institutions and reinforcing a growing consensus: that meaningful justice reform in Nigeria must begin with how its lawyers are trained.

Push for Justice Reform Gains Momentum as AGF Backs Practical Legal Training for Young Lawyers

Calm returns to Pulka after Wednesday night attack on the town

By: Bodunrin Kayode

Residents of Pulka who ran to the bush yesterday night have returned home even as the troops of the Nigerian military repelled attempts by insurgents from sacking the town.

The insurgents too residents hinted did not leave without injecting their trade marks on the base of the military in the community leaving about three soldiers dead.

A source who wanted anonymity said that she had to run out of her house with her neighbors at about ten pm wednesday evening into the thick savannah to hide so that they are not attacked, killed or abducted when the criminals entered the community.

“We were all relaxing in our homes when the sounds of gun fire rented the air. Not knowing what to do we locked our doors and waited indoors while praying that the worse should not happen to us residents.

” Towards 10.30 pm the artillery blasts became intensified. Then suddenly, we heard the voices of soldiers telling us to run away into the bush showing us the safe direction to go into the dark while they stayed back to face the criminals.

” We stayed in the bush untill around 1 am when word reached one of our neighbors that the coast was clear to return to base. So by two am some of us were back into our residences trying to survive as usual.

” Nobody could sleep in the bush regardless of our tiredness which we were going through. We came back only to hear that the base of our military protectors was sacked and burnt down leaving three soldiers dead in as at the wee hours of the night.

” Very sad indeed. I feel for them because they are going to start a fresh. Sadly, this has been the routine which we have been following since a couple of years ago, I started working for my agency in this town.” She lamented.

Pulka which is about 109 km is at the foot of the Mandara mountains which is the hot bed of Boko Haram in Borno State.

Calm returns to Pulka after Wednesday night attack on the town

Zulum Rolls Out 20 Electric Buses to Cushion Petrol Price Hike

By: Our Reporter

Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has directed the immediate deployment of 20 luxury electric buses for public use as part of measures to cushion the impact of the recent petrol price hike on residents.

The buses, which were inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 20th December, 2025, alongside 3,000 electric bicycles, 500 electric tricycles, and 100 electric vehicles aimed at improving transportation services across the state.

The rollout of the buses, which commenced on Friday, 3rd April, features a fleet of 17 buses with 49 seating capacity, two 37-seaters, and one 28-seater. They are currently being deployed across major routes within Maiduguri metropolis and its environs to ease the burden of rising transport costs on commuters.

The Fully air-conditioned and energy-efficient vehicles can cover over 400 kilometres on a single charge. This initiative complements the existing fleet of buses and salon cars earlier procured by the Zulum administration to enhance urban mobility.

To ensure seamless operations, the governor has also established the largest electric vehicle charging terminal in the country, with the capacity to charge up to 50 vehicles at a time.

To further protect residents from the ripple effects of the global energy crisis, Governor Zulum directed Borno Express Transport Service to maintain a subsidised fare of N50 per drop.

The intervention has already begun to yield positive results, with noticeable reductions in congestion and improved access to affordable transportation for students, civil servants, traders, and other residents.

Commuters have since commended the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.

“This transport initiative is indeed commendable. We are not feeling the impact of the rising transportation costs, as fares remain at N50 per drop. We thank Governor Zulum for the gesture”.

The initiative forms part of Governor Zulum’s effort to promote green energy, modernise transportation system and provide relief to the vulnerable.

Zulum Rolls Out 20 Electric Buses to Cushion Petrol Price Hike