Nigeria’s push to strengthen its criminal justice system gathered momentum on Thursday as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, endorsed practical legal training as a critical driver of reform.
Represented by Hauwa Dimka at the Administration of Criminal Justice Academy Moot Competition in Abuja, the AGF stressed the need to move beyond theoretical instruction toward hands-on experience that better prepares young lawyers for the realities of legal practice.
The competition, organised by the Juristrust Centre in partnership with the MacArthur Foundation, was positioned as more than an academic exercise, serving as a strategic intervention to address gaps in legal training and justice delivery.
Fagbemi described Nigeria’s justice sector as requiring skilled, ethical, and reform-oriented professionals, noting that the success of frameworks such as the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 depends largely on the capacity of lawyers to interpret and apply the law effectively. He cautioned that without a new generation of competent practitioners, even progressive legislation could fall short of its objectives.
“The future of justice in Nigeria depends on how well prepared you are today,” he said, urging participants to uphold integrity, professionalism, and courage in addressing systemic challenges.
In his remarks, Executive Director of the Juristrust Centre, Adedeji Adekunle, said the initiative was designed to expose students to real-life courtroom dynamics and enhance critical thinking skills. He noted that participants from universities nationwide demonstrated both academic excellence and a growing appreciation of justice as a tool for societal transformation.
Also speaking, Kole Shettima highlighted the importance of mentorship and innovation, urging young lawyers to embrace technology and adopt new approaches to improve access to justice.
Similarly, Cheikh Touré of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime described the initiative as a vital platform for grooming future leaders in the justice sector. He emphasised that beyond advocacy skills, the competition instils values such as fairness, discipline, and ethical responsibility—key to rebuilding public trust.
The event, themed “From Theory to Trial: Mentorship Pathways for Emerging Criminal Lawyers in Nigeria,” concluded with a moot court finale featuring students from multiple institutions, reinforcing growing consensus that meaningful justice reform must begin with how legal practitioners are trained.
