Kebbi reaffirms commitment to Justice reforms, sector digitisation
Kebbi Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the judiciary and improving access to justice through sustained reforms, infrastructure development, and digitalisation of the justice sector.
Gov. Nasir Idris, made the commitment on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Kebbi Branch, popularly known as the Equity Bar, held at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi.
The report states that the Law Week is themed: “Justice Beyond Algorithms: Navigating Law and Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria’s Evolving Justice System.”
Idris, who is the Special Guest of Honour, described the theme as timely, noting that the increasing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in legal practice and justice administration requires careful consideration by stakeholders.
He said his administration had consistently prioritised the judiciary and legal profession since assuming office in 2023, recognising their strategic role in governance and the rule of law.
According to him, the state government lifted the long-standing embargo on the recruitment of lawyers into the civil service by employing additional legal officers in 2023 and 2025.
“The 2023 exercise was the first recruitment of lawyers into the state’s civil service since 1995.
“We also increased the monthly cash allocation to the Ministry of Justice from N1.4 million to N10 million and raised lawyers’ robe allowances from N13.9 million in 2023 to N79 million in 2026.
“These improvements are also reflected in the judiciary’s allocations and welfare packages,” he said.
The governor disclosed that between 2023 and 2024, the state sponsored 25 lawyers to study for master’s degrees in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, to strengthen institutional capacity.
He added that the government provided 14 operational vehicles to the Ministry of Justice and sponsored state counsel for professional training programmes in 2024 and 2025.
Idris further said operational vehicles had been provided to the High Court, Judicial Service Commission, and Sharia Court of Appeal to enhance service delivery.
On justice sector reforms, the governor recalled that he assented to the Justice Sector Reform Team Law in December 2023 to improve coordination among critical stakeholders in the administration of justice.
He explained that the law brought together the Ministry of Justice, Judiciary, Legislature, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Correctional Service, Legal Aid Council, National Human Rights Commission, NBA, civil society organisations, and traditional institutions.
Gov. Idris said the government had since embarked on several projects to improve justice delivery, including constructing chambers for the Attorney-General in Argungu and Yauri, renovating the Zuru chambers, rehabilitating court facilities, and modernising the Kebbi State Law Reform Commission.
The governor added that the government supported the Nigeria Police Force with modern interrogation facilities, solar-powered systems, and operational vehicles to enhance investigations while safeguarding suspects’ rights.
He noted that solar inverter systems had been installed at the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division; Federal High Court, Birnin Kebbi Division; Kebbi State High Court; Sharia Court of Appeal; Law Reform Commission; and Judicial Service Commission complexes.
Idris assured legal practitioners and judicial officers that his administration would continue to invest in critical infrastructure, digitalisation, and staff welfare to strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
He revealed that the State Executive Council had approved the upgrade of the Citizens’ Rights and Public Engagements Unit and the Gender-Based Violence Support Unit of the Ministry of Justice into full-fledged departments to improve access to justice and human rights protection.
The governor also highlighted the state’s support for the NBA, stating that his administration had spent about N500 million to facilitate the participation of public-sector lawyers in the last three NBA national conferences and provided an additional N200 million to support the national body.
He added that the Equity Bar had received about N150 million from the state government for its activities over the years.
The governor further announced that the state would host the NBA National Human Rights Institute Summit in Aug.
Speaking on digital transformation, Idris said the state had commenced efforts to fully digitalise the judiciary and Ministry of Justice.
He disclosed that the government had established a digital library equipped with 50 desktop computers and legal resources valued at over N240 million.
According to him, the ministry now operates a fully digital system with access to several legal technology applications, including the Law Pavilion Artificial Intelligence platform.
“The provision of these facilities underscores our recognition of the growing importance of AI in the legal profession and the administration of justice,” he said.
Earlier, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, stressed the need for judicial officers and legal practitioners to be properly guided in the use of AI to prevent errors and preserve the integrity of the justice system.
Fagbemi pledged the Federal Government’s readiness to collaborate with the judiciary to improve the welfare of legal practitioners and judicial personnel across the country.
He commended the Kebbi judiciary and the NBA leadership for their commitment to promoting justice, equity, and fairness.
In his welcome address, Kebbi Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Junaidu Bello-Marshall, lauded Gov. Idris for his unwavering support to the legal profession and the judiciary.
Bello-Marshall said the governor promptly approved N50 million requested by organisers to host the 2026 Law Week.
“We are grateful for the support and remain committed to working with the government and people of Kebbi to ensure a safer, more peaceful, and more just society,” he said.
The event attracted senior judicial officers, legal practitioners, academics, and other stakeholders from within and outside the state.