Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to work with the Federal Government, National Assembly and other partners to deepen reforms in the state’s justice system, particularly at the grassroots level.
Zulum made the pledge on Wednesday at the 2025 Justice Sector Leadership Retreat held at the Musa Usman Secretariat International Conference Centre, Maiduguri.
“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 said.
The governor emphasised the importance of deploying technology to accelerate justice delivery, make it more transparent and accountable, and reduce gaps in access.
“In Borno State, we are already witnessing how digital tools have enhanced case tracking, enabling virtual court sittings, improving prison decongestion and streamlining access to legal aid, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
“If deployed strategically, technology can bridge the gap between rural and urban justice access,” he said.
Zulum noted that justice must serve as a foundation for healing, rebuilding trust, and restoring the social contract as the state continues recovery from insurgency and humanitarian challenges.
He called for institutional collaboration and coordinated reforms to effectively tackle terrorism, corruption, land disputes and to secure investments for societal progress.
“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,” he said.
The retreat, themed “Strengthening Justice Sector Service Delivery through Technology, Innovation and Coordinated Reform,” highlighted the role of digital tools in fast-tracking judicial processes.
Dignitaries at the event included Sen. Kaka Shehu Lawan (Borno Central); APC State Chairman, Hon. Bello Ayuba; Chairman/CEO of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Buba Marwa (rtd); Solicitor-General of the Federation, Mrs Beatrice Jeddy-Agba; Secretary to the Borno State Government; Head of Service; Acting Chief of Staff; the State Attorney-General; members of the State Executive Council and other top government officials.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), commended Zulum for what he described as his people-centred and reform-driven governance.
Fagbemi said Borno had become a pacesetter in digital transformation of the justice sector with the launch of the e-Justice project in partnership with Law Pavilion.
“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,” he said.
He added that under Zulum’s leadership, the state had become a case study in resilience and renewal.
“You have elevated the standard of leadership by demonstrating that ideas, when backed by courage and action, can transform societies, no matter the odds,” Fagbemi said.
The minister further stressed the need to update Nigeria’s legal frameworks to support digital innovations and invest in digital literacy, cybersecurity and data management for justice sector professionals.
“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 said.
