By Sam Kayode
Governor Babagana Zulum has called for the need for institutional collaboration and coordinated reform to effectively confront the menace of terrorism in the nation.
He said that such collaboration between the national and the sub nationals in the sector will have a strong effect on the lingering terrorism in the country counter corruption and resolve land disputes by securing investments for a better society.
Prof. Babagana Zulum, reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with the Federal Government, National Assembly and other sub nationals to deepen reforms in the State judicial system especially at the grassroots level.
Governor Zulum made the commitment recently at the 2025 Justice Sector Leadership Retreat held at the International Conference Centre of Musa Usman Secretariat, Maiduguri.
He reaffirmed Borno State’s commitment to working with the Federal Government, the Judiciary, the National Assembly, and development partners to strengthening reforms in the current judicial system, especially at the grassroots level.
The Governor stressed the need for the deployment of technology which will make judicial delivery faster, transparent and accountable to the citizenry, noting that Borno State had already adopted the use of digital technology to bridge justice delivery gap.
“In Borno State, we are already witnessing how digital tools have enhanced case tracking, enabling virtual court sittings, thus improving prison decongestion and streaming access to legal aid especially in hard-to-reach areas.
“If deployed strategically, technology can bridge the gap between rural and urban justice access. This is particularly important in Borno State where we continue to recover from a protracted insurgency and humanitarian crisis. Justice must serve as a foundation for healing, rebuilding trust and restoring the social contract.
“I urge all of us here as policymakers, jurists, administrators and stakeholders to see coordination not as a procedural matter, but as a moral imperative. Our people deserve a system that works, not one riddled with delays, duplications, or inefficiencies”.
The retreat themed “Strengthening Justice Sector Service Delivery through Technology, Innovation and Coordinated Reform” underscores the importance of deployment of digital tools to fast track judicial process.
Also speaking Attorney General of the federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, lauded Governor Zulum’s people-centred transformation and reforms in the justice sector.
“Just like other sectors, your impact in the justice sector has been profound. The launch of Borno State e-Justice project in partnership with Law Pavilion has positioned the state as a pacesetter in digital transformation.
“With tools such as the Case Management System, e-Library, and electronic mail tracking for legal processes, Borno is pioneering efficiency and transparency in judicial service delivery.
“Borno under your leadership has become a case study in resilience and renewal. You have shown that governance is not about slogans but about solutions; not about rhetoric but about results.
“You have elevated the standard of leadership by demonstrating that ideas, when backed by courage and action, can transform societies, no matter the odds.
“In a state that has endured some of the toughest trials in our nation’s history, you did not succumb to despair. Instead, you applied innovative thinking, sound judgment, and a data-driven approach to policy and the results are visible to all”. Said Fagbemi.
The Attorney General called for the need to update the nation’s legal frameworks to support these innovations and invest in digital literacy, cybersecurity, and data management for the professionals.
He maintained that by fostering a culture of innovation and leveraging the transformative power of technology, they can build a justice system that is more efficient, more accessible, and more equitable for all Nigerians.
