By Gloria Ikibah
Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi has raised fresh concerns over the continued failure to release and adequately allocate funds to the justice sector, warning that the situation is slowing down much-needed reforms.
Addressing members of the House of Representatives Committee on Justice in Abuja on Wednesday, the AGF outlined the financial hurdles confronting the Federal Ministry of Justice as he presented its 2026 budget proposal. 
He explained that the Ministry’s work is guided by the National Policy on Justice 2024 and its Strategic Plan for 2023–2027. These frameworks, he noted, are central to delivering the justice sector objectives set out under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Despite these clearly defined targets, he acknowledged that limited budgetary provision and delays in releasing approved funds have significantly restricted the Ministry’s ability to carry out key projects and maintain essential services.
Even so, he pointed to progress in several areas. These include reforms to criminal justice administration, strengthened counter-terrorism measures, efforts to remove Nigeria from the Financial Action Task Force grey list, and advances in asset recovery and financial management systems.
Providing details of recent budget performance, Fagbemi disclosed that over a ten-month period the Ministry received N6.68 billion out of N7.50 billion allocated for overhead costs, representing 82 per cent implementation.
The picture was markedly different for capital spending. Of the N6.75 billion earmarked for capital projects, only N869.6 million — about 12 per cent — was backed by a warrant. He further indicated that even this amount was not cash-backed, leaving several planned projects stalled.
He also revealed that no funds were released for the Ministry’s 2025 capital projects, stressing that the financial strain extends beyond the Justice Ministry to other government departments.
Looking ahead, the Ministry has proposed a total budget of N23.68 billion for 2026, covering personnel, overheads and capital expenditure, in the hope of sustaining reform efforts and strengthening the justice system.
In his response, Chairman House Committee on Justice, Rep. Olumide Osoba, said the Committee will thoroughly scrutinise the Ministry’s budget estimates and those of its agencies to ensure that justice sector reforms are not hampered by inadequate funding.
Osoba also vowed that the Committee will exercise effective oversight over funds approved in the Ministry’s annual budgets to guarantee accountability and optimal utilisation.
