The Nigerian House of Representatives has decided to take action on the country’s delayed legal delivery.

As a result, the House has directed the Committee on Constitutional Review to conduct a thorough investigation of the justice and judicial systems.

The group headed by Benjamin Kalu was specifically entrusted with seeking input from experts, civil society, and individuals in order to formulate significant reforms by December 2025.

A motion submitted by Mr. Ganiyu Ayuba, the member representing Alimosho Federal Constituency in Lagos State, with the title “The need to review Nigeria’s justice and judicial system to restore public trust in the judiciary and address the delay in providing justice,” was adopted before the resolution was passed.

According to Ayuba, the court must fulfil its duty of swiftly administering justice and interpreting the laws passed by the legislature.

According to him, one of the components of a fair trial as defined by Section 36(1) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) constitution is the prompt and reasonable determination of any person’s or authority’s civil rights and obligations by a court or tribunal established by law.

The Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) Constitution established timeliness for election-related concerns, expedited the administration of justice, and, in some situations, made the Court of Appeal the highest court to hear appeals.

He voiced concerns that the public’s confidence in the judiciary was being steadily undermined by the country’s court system’s delays.

He emphasises that when justice is delayed, it is frequently denied that trial court cases in certain jurisdictions drag on longer than necessary.

The House also pointed out that if prompt action is not done to alleviate the backlog in the administration and judicial systems, public trust in the legal system may be harmed, which could lead individuals to enact laws on their own.

For more legislative action, the committee is anticipated to report back in four weeks.