By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa
The Nasarawa State Government has reduced the timeline for legal advice on high-profile cases from 40 days or more to just seven days, a move aimed at accelerating justice delivery.
The State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Isaac Danladi, announced the reform on Monday in Lafia during a monthly ministerial briefing organized by the Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism, Dr. Ibrahim Tanko. The briefing serves as a platform for heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to present their achievements.
Danladi explained that the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule views an efficient justice system as a cornerstone of good governance, economic growth, and public trust. Previously, case files had to pass through multiple directors for input, causing significant delays. The ministry has now streamlined the process, centralizing legal advice with the Director of Public Prosecution to ensure swift, fair, and timely justice.
The Attorney-General further noted that the government has strengthened the capacity of state counsels, with over 70 lawyers now prosecuting cases across various courts in the state and beyond. Salaries and allowances for state counsels have been harmonized, making them among the highest-paid in the country.
“We recognised that delays in adjudication erode confidence in the rule of law, discourage investment, and leave victims and defendants in prolonged uncertainty,” Danladi said. “That is why we reduced the period for legal advice on high-profile cases from about 40 days to just seven days.”
He added that the government is collaborating with the state judiciary, the police, the correctional service, and the Nigerian Bar Association to remove bottlenecks in both criminal and civil justice chains. As part of efforts to decongest correctional facilities, the Sule-led administration continues to grant pardons to inmates in line with the law.
In his remarks, Commissioner Tanko said the ministry has created multiple channels, including the monthly briefings, to educate and inform the public about government policies, programmes, and projects. He pledged to sustain the enlightenment campaign and to organise site visits so citizens can see ongoing projects for themselves.
Tanko urged residents to have faith in the justice system and avoid self-help, encouraging them instead to seek redress through the courts or the state’s alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. He reiterated the government’s high regard for the rule of law and its commitment to supporting reforms that strengthen justice administration in Nasarawa State.
