ASSESSING GOVERNOR PETER MBAH’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN ENUGU’S JUSTICE SECTOR WITHIN ONE YEAR.

– Prince Ekene Nwanjoku

Since he assumed office on the 29th of May, 2023, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has done tremendously well in touching all sectors in line with his disruptive innovation mantra.

Many of these achievements are known and felt, while some are felt but not widely recognized. One of the sectors that forms part of the latter is the justice sector.

Without a viable legal framework, businesses will not thrive, as investors will lack the necessary confidence to invest. This could hinder the state’s vision of exponentially growing the state’s GDP from $4.4 billion to $30 billion.

Hence, the significant achievements of the Governor in the justice sector are laying the groundwork for sustainable growth.

Governor Mbah’s administration has been a beacon of transformation in Enugu State’s justice sector, especially since he appointed Dr. Kingsley Tochi Udeh as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State.

In the last one year, his government has facilitated and presented over 18 groundbreaking bills to the House of Assembly, outwhich 15 have been passed into law.

This proactive legislative agenda underscores the governor’s commitment to enhancing legal frameworks and promoting good governance within the state.

The passage of these bills represents a significant milestone in ensuring that Enugu State’s legal and administrative structures are robust, responsive, and reflective of contemporary needs. Other executive bills geared towards reform and development are in the works. Some of these new laws include:

• The Enugu State Electricity Law, 2023
• The Enugu State Geographic Information Systems Service Law, 2024
• The New Enugu City Management Agency Law, 2024
• The State University of Medical and Applied Sciences Teaching Hospital Igbo-Eno Law, 2024
• The Enugu State Properties Protection Law, 2024
• The Public Ranch Management Agency Law, 2024
• The Enugu State Environmental and Climate Protection Law, 2024
• The Enugu State Sports Development Fund Law, 2024
• The Neighbourhood Association and Watch Group Law, 2024
• The Enugu State College of Nursing Sciences Parklane and Awgu Bill, 2024, among others.

In addition to these new laws, five forward-looking executive orders have been promulgated, which provide the necessary legal backing for various government policies and initiatives. By issuing these executive orders, Governor Mbah has demonstrated an adept understanding of governance nuances and the importance of swift, decisive action in addressing the state’s developmental challenges.

These executive orders have laid the groundwork for several key initiatives, enabling the government to respond promptly to emerging issues and ensuring that the state’s machinery operates smoothly.

The Governor has been aggressive in attracting business, investment, and developmental partnerships, which have been followed by speedy drafting of transaction documentation and closing of numerous deals in record time.

Thus, this government has signed and is implementing hundreds of agreements and memorandum of understanding geared towards the development of all sectors and sections of the state. No wonder work is going on at every nook and cranny of the state, in the city and rural areas.

People have observed that Enugu has literally turned to a construction site. Much more is still in the works. The legal frameworks and transaction instruments made by Governor Mbah’s administration are deliberately of international standard, fair, and protect the interest of all parties involved.

The reactivation of the Citizen’s Rights and Mediation Center (CRMC) forums in the 17 Local Government Areas of Enugu State stands out as a people-centric achievement. These centers play a critical role in alternative dispute resolution, offering a platform for resolving conflicts amicably without the need for protracted court cases.

This is particularly important to the rural populace, who will be largely without remedy if costly litigation is the only available resolution. By revitalizing these centers, the Governor has alleviated the burden on the judicial system and promoted a culture of peace and dialogue among the residents. The CRMC Forums/Centers now serve as vital hubs for community engagement, where disputes are resolved swiftly and equitably, fostering social harmony.

The digitalization, digitization, and automation of the justice sector have been prioritized in an effort to modernize the state’s judicial processes. This initiative aims to enhance efficiency, reduce case backlogs, and improve overall access to justice. By leveraging technology, the administration is streamlining various judicial processes and making it easier for citizens to access legal services and information.

The automation of the judiciary ensures that cases are processed faster, records are kept more accurately, and judicial officers can perform their duties more effectively. This technological transformation is a testament to Governor Mbah’s vision of a modern, efficient, and transparent judicial system.

In line with his manifesto, the Governor laid the groundwork for the creation of specialized courts for unimpeded access to justice for all. These Courts will be presided over by experts in the specialized areas, to optimize the quality of the determination of issues, the speed of dispensation, and the wholesomeness of outcomes. Some of these specialized courts include:

• Small Claims Court (fully operational) for quick dispensation of cases involving claims of One Million Naira or less.
• Commercial Court (to deal with Commercial, Contracts, Revenue, and Fast-track matters)
• Probate and Family Court (dealing with probate, matrimonial causes, and family matters)
• Criminal Court (responsible for criminal cases involving sentences above 14 years, including life and death sentences)
• Lands (or Real Estate) Court (to handle land matters)

The administration is also working on law reporting and publication, while continuously compiling judgments of the High Court. This initiative is crucial for maintaining a comprehensive and up-to-date repository of legal precedents from trial courts, which serve as a valuable resource for legal practitioners, scholars, and the judiciary.

The systematic compilation and reporting of High Court judgments enhances the consistency and predictability of courts’ decisions, thereby strengthening the rule of law. This forward-looking approach ensures that legal professionals have access to accurate and timely legal authorities, which are essential for effective legal practice.

Training of legal officers on law reporting and legal drafting has been another cornerstone of Governor Mbah’s justice sector reforms.

These training programmes are designed to enhance the skills and competencies of legal officers, ensuring that they are well-equipped to handle the complexities of modern legal practice and match the demands of the current innovative administration.

By investing in the continuous professional development of legal officers, the administration is building a more capable and efficient legal workforce. This initiative improves the quality of legal services provided to the public and fosters a culture of excellence and professionalism within the Ministry of Justice.

In collaboration with the Enugu State Multi-Door Courthouse, Governor Mbah’s sponsored a training programme on mediation skills for law officers. This training equips legal officers with the skills and techniques necessary for effective mediation, which is a critical component of alternative dispute resolution.

It is noteworthy that with the concurrence of partners and contractors, most agreements and other transaction documents executed by this administration have mediation as their dispute resolution option.

By promoting mediation, the administration is offering a viable alternative to litigation, which can be time-consuming and costly.

Mediation provides a more amicable and efficient means of resolving disputes, thereby reducing the caseload of the courts and fostering a more harmonious society. This initiative underscores the administration’s commitment to innovative and practical solutions to business and social problems.

The establishment of a virtual hearing center at the Ministry of Justice, in addition to the boosting virtual hearing capabilities of the High Court is a groundbreaking achievement.

This center facilitates remote court hearings, making it possible for legal proceedings to continue uninterrupted despite physical or logistical constraints. The virtual hearing center is particularly significant coming from the recent experience of COVID-19 pandemic, which necessitated the adoption of remote working arrangements.

By embracing digital transormation, Governor Mbah’s administration has ensured that the wheels of justice keep turning, even in challenging circumstances. This innovation enhances access to justice and sets the pace for justice for the present and the future.

In line with its commitment to support witnesses in legal proceedings, especially in criminal prosection, the administration established a Witness Support Unit at the Ministry of Justice.

This unit provides essential support services to witnesses, including counseling, protection, and logistical assistance. By addressing the needs and concerns of witnesses, the administration ensures that they can participate fully and confidently in legal proceedings.

The establishment of this unit reflects the administration’s recognition of the critical role that witnesses play in the justice system and its commitment to safeguarding their welfare and rights, thereby enhancing criminal justice administration, which has a multiplier effect on security of lives and property.

A holistic revision of the entire laws of Enugu State is currently ongoing. The last time this was done was over 20 years ago. The revision is aimed at ensuring that the legal framework is up-to-date, coherent, and responsive to contemporary needs.

This comprehensive revision involves scrutinizing existing laws, identifying areas for improvement, proposing necessary amendments, consolidating laws and their amendments scattered in various legislation, harmonizing conflicting provisions, publishing the laws as a set of compendium of laws, etc. By undertaking this ambitious project, Governor Mbah’s administration is laying the foundation for a more effective and efficient legal system.

This initiative ensures that the Laws of Enugu State are aligned with best practices and capable of addressing the evolving needs of the society.

The successful prosecution of cases, both civil and criminal, has been a notable achievement of the administration. Securing favorable judgments and decisions for the government not only reinforces the rule of law but also contributes to the state’s developmental trajectory and security drive. Many of these successful cases have been achieved through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and consent judgments, which are less adversarial and more collaborative.

This approach expedites the resolution of disputes, while maintaining good working relations with investors and other stakeholders. The administration’s success in this area underscores its commitment to justice and fairness.

Indeed, one year under Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah’s leadership has seen significant advancements in Enugu State’s justice sector. Through legislative initiatives, capacity building, and the establishment of critical support systems, the administration has laid a strong foundation for a more efficient and responsive justice system.

The governor’s commitment and records in improving law and justice, while advancing good governance, demonstrate that he is deliberate to keep to his promise of making Enugu State great in all tangible ramifications.

The legacy of this transformative year is expected to enlarge and resonate for years to come, shaping Enugu State into a just, equitable, and inclusively prosperous society.

Ndi Enugu,
Tomorrow is Here!