The Ministry of Justice has not obtained any budgetary allocation for the settlement of judgment debts, the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, mentioned.
Mrs Jeddy-Agba, who can also be the Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Justice, made this recognized in Abuja at a dialogue on accessing treatments for human rights violations in Nigeria.
The occasion was with the theme: ’Strategic dialogue on accessing treatments for human rights violations in Nigeria‘ was organised on the sidelines of the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, conference in Abuja
Mrs Jeddy-Agba, represented by Enoch Simon, a director in the litigation department of the Attorney-General of the Federation’s workplace mentioned:” since 2019, the Federal Ministry of Justice has not obtained any budgetary allocation for settlement of judgment debt”.
The solicitor-general decried that despite out there authorized framework within the nation, the well timed prosecution of basic proper instances and enforcement of the ensuing judgments, remained a significant problem for the federal government.
She mentioned it was unlucky that the ministry was usually compelled to pay judgment debts that emanated from illegal actions of regulation enforcement establishments and brokers.
“Most often, security or law enforcement agencies are the actual judgment debtors since their actions and inactions occasion the infractions.
“However, the ministry of Justice is dragged into the arena either because the Attorney-General of the Federation is sued as a nominal party or the judgment creditor approaches the AGF to grant consent, pursuant to the provisions of section 84 (1-3) of the Sheriffs and Civil Process Act.
“As a matter of due process and FGN Financial Regulations, if is the policy of the Federal Ministry of Finance that payment of judgment debt by any agency must be based on clearance by the Attorney-General and requisite budgetary appropriation,” she mentioned.
The solicitor-general mentioned a number of the debtor companies do refer judgment debts to the Attorney-General for intervention.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, SAN, mentioned the Commission would consistent with its mandate, proceed to maintain the federal government and its companies accountable.
He maintained that underneath the NHRC Act, selections of the fee are at par with excessive courtroom judgements.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, frontline human rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, mentioned Nigerians should all the time rise up to defend their rights and demand strict adherence to the ideas of the rule of regulation.
Mr Falana lamented that authorities doesn’t pay any financial judgment and due to this fact, referred to as the folks to demand for his or her rights when violated.
Speaking on the implementing the choices of ENDSARS judicial panels of inquiry, Prof, Joy Ezelio, Dean Emeritus Faculty of Law, UNN mentioned:” you can’t speak of justice with out treatments.
”We should have a system that prompts itself, unmet justice brings ugly facet of the folks.
”Why would a authorities not implement the suggestions of panels it setup ” she requested.
NAN
