Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has announced bold plans to reform the state’s legal framework and fully digitize its justice system.
The announcement came during the official launch of the Digital Case Management System at the Borno State Ministry of Justice, held Friday at the Musa Usman Secretariat in Maiduguri.
Governor Zulum described the initiative as a critical step toward modernizing legal processes and enhancing the effectiveness of the justice sector.
He pledged to review and update outdated laws particularly the penal code to ensure they reflect current societal realities and offer adequate deterrence for offenders.
“Most of the provisions in our laws, especially the penal code, have become outdated and no longer serve as effective deterrents,” Zulum said. “Before the end of my tenure, insha Allah, we will put in place legal reforms that meet today’s realities.”
The event also featured the unveiling of a new logo, mission statement, core values, and an electronic library for the Ministry of Justice, signalling what officials described as a new era of legal administration in the state.
Zulum reaffirmed his administration’s full support for the Ministry’s digital transformation agenda, noting that the Digital Case Management System will streamline operations, minimize delays, and improve the quality of legal service delivery.
He also emphasized the importance of staff development and pledged support for the education and career advancement of legal professionals, especially female lawyers.
“I am happy to see many female lawyers here today,” the governor said. “Anyone who wishes to further their education will receive support from my administration.”
Chief Judge of Borno State, Justice Kashim Zannah, commended the governor for his commitment to legal reforms and called for the digitization of all state laws to improve public access.
“In all my years on the bench, I have not seen a government more consistent in legislative activity,” Zannah remarked. “We receive newly signed laws almost every month. Making these laws digitally accessible is the next step.”
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Hauwa Abubakar, described the launch as a landmark in institutional reform. She said the Ministry’s new identity reflects a renewed focus on transparency, fairness, and responsive governance.
“This is more than a change in appearance,” Abubakar stated. “It marks a shift toward meeting modern governance challenges while staying true to our core values of justice, fairness, and integrity.”
The initiative, as observed by WorldClass247News, places Borno at the forefront of legal innovation in Nigeria, as the state continues to prioritize good governance and judicial reform.