‘No Budgetary Allocation to Settle Rising Judgement Debts’, Justice Ministry

The Federal Ministry of Justice has disclosed that, it did not receive any budgetary allocation for the settlement of judgement debts.

The Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba, who is also the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, made this known in Abuja at a dialogue on accessing remedies for human rights violations in Nigeria.

Represented by Mr Enoch Simon, a Director in the Litigation Department of the Attorney-General of the Federation’s office, Mrs Jeddy-Agba said: “Since 2019, the Federal Ministry of Justice has not received any budgetary allocation for settlement of judgement debts”.

She disclosed that in spite of the available legal framework in the country, the timely prosecution of fundamental rights cases and enforcement of the resulting judgements remained a major challenge for the Government.

She further stated that, it was unfortunate that the Ministry was often compelled to pay judgement debts from unlawful actions of law enforcement institutions and agents.

“Most often, security or law enforcement agencies are the actual judgement 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 judgement 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, it is the policy of the Federal Ministry of Finance, that payment of judgement debt by any agency must be based on clearance by the Attorney-General and requisite budgetary appropriation.”

The Solicitor-General said some debtor agencies refer judgement debts to the Attorney-General, for intervention.

HON JUSTICE KATE ABIRI: SELFLESS AND GRACEFUL PURSUIT OF JUSTICE

Conqueror Queen of feel and stealth, Soft-spoken, gentle, yet hard as steel. Dexterity, devotion, weaponised to achieve, Justice for humanity, not a reward to receive.

Courts dependent not on might,

Beholden to none but right. Never to dither nor shiver,Tech to lever and deliver.

Hordes of words, not swords she deployed, Sloth, oppression, and injustice destroyed. Pushed, punted, pursued not to keep, Spoils and bounties, others to reap.

Laughter and banters still in the wind,Taste of warm Ube fresh on my mind.Lights-out: graceful Pharos of Bayelsa is Late, Sly and soundless exit, so, very much so like Kate. 

Kashim Ebimieowei Zannah