Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has called for additional funding for the Ministry to ensure improved performance in the year 2024.

During a review of the 2023 budget performance and defense of the 2024 budget at the Senate Committee on Judiciary in Abuja, Fagbemi highlighted the current budget allocation for the Ministry. In 2023, the Ministry was allocated N3.3 billion for capital expenditure and N4.6 billion for recurrent expenditure.

However, as of the review, the Ministry had only received releases of N617 million for capital expenditure and N2.734 billion for recurrent expenditure, with less than 30 days remaining in 2023. This limited funding has significantly impacted the Ministry’s performance.

To achieve a paradigm shift in 2024, Fagbemi stated that the Ministry has allocated N5.3 billion for capital expenditure and N8.8 billion for recurrent expenditure in the upcoming budget. He urged the committee to support the Ministry, emphasizing its fundamental role in driving the current administration’s roadmap for the justice sector.

Fagbemi highlighted the importance of legal and judicial reforms as vital priority areas within the President’s eight-point agenda. He also mentioned the Ministry’s expenditure on chartering aircraft to transport judicial officers for trials and the provision or upgrading of infrastructural facilities at various venues to ensure their suitability.

In summary, Fagbemi stressed the need for increased funding in the 2024 budget to enable the Ministry to effectively carry out its responsibilities and contribute to the development of the justice sector.