Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to overhauling the justice system, with a strong focus on grassroots access and digital transformation.
Speaking at the 2025 Justice Sector Leadership Retreat held at the Musa Usman Secretariat’s International Conference Centre in Maiduguri, Governor Zulum emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts between state and federal institutions to drive sustainable legal reforms.
“I reaffirm Borno State’s commitment to working with the Federal Government, the Judiciary, the National Assembly, and development partners to deepen reforms in our justice system, especially at the grassroots level,” Zulum stated.
The governor outlined how technology is already being deployed in Borno to improve judicial processes and extend legal services to underserved communities.
He highlighted innovations such as virtual court sittings, digital case tracking, and expanded access to legal aid as examples of how technology is narrowing the justice gap.
“In Borno State, we are already witnessing how digital tools have enhanced case tracking, enabled virtual court sittings, improved prison decongestion, and extended legal aid to hard-to-reach areas,” he said. “Technology, if deployed strategically, can bridge the gap between rural and urban justice access.”
Zulum further stressed that in a state recovering from years of insurgency, a robust and accessible justice system must play a central role in rebuilding trust and promoting reconciliation.
“Justice must be more than prosecution—it must serve as a foundation for healing, restoring the social contract, and rebuilding communities,” he added.
Held under the theme “Strengthening Justice Sector Service Delivery through Technology, Innovation and Co-ordinated Reform,” the retreat brought together stakeholders from across the justice sector to explore strategies for improving service delivery and strengthening institutions.
Governor Zulum also called for greater inter-agency collaboration to address persistent challenges such as terrorism, land disputes, corruption, and investment insecurity.
“Our people deserve a justice system that works—not one riddled with delays, duplications, or inefficiencies,” he said. “Coordination must not just be procedural—it must be seen as a moral responsibility.”
Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), praised Governor Zulum’s leadership, describing him as “people-centred and reform-driven.”
Fagbemi commended the state’s progress in digital transformation through its e-Justice initiative, developed in partnership with Law Pavilion, which includes a Case Management System, e-Library, and electronic mail tracking for legal documents.
“Borno is pioneering efficiency and transparency in judicial service delivery,” Fagbemi said. “Just like in other sectors, your impact in the justice sector has been profound.”
He lauded Zulum’s data-driven and innovative governance approach, positioning Borno as a “national case study in resilience and renewal.”
“You have shown that leadership is not about slogans, but about solutions. Not about rhetoric, but results,” the Minister remarked.
Fagbemi also advocated for national legal reforms to support the justice sector’s technological evolution, calling for investments in digital literacy, cybersecurity, and data management across the legal profession.
“By fostering a culture of innovation and leveraging the transformative power of technology, we can build a justice system that is more efficient, more accessible, and more equitable for all Nigerians,” he concluded.