AGF admits gender bias persists in justice sector

From Godwin Tsa, Abuja

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has acknowledged that women aspiring to enter and excel in Nigeria’s justice sector still face systemic gender bias, economic hardships and cultural stereotypes that continue to undermine their progress.

Fagbemi made the admission through the Solicitor-General of the Federation, Beatrice Jedy-Agba, who represented him at the opening ceremony of the International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) African Regional Conference, held at the Body of Benchers Auditorium in Abuja on Tuesday.

The conference, themed “Promoting Excellence in the Administration of Justice”, was hosted by the Court of Appeal and the National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN) and brought together chief justices, Supreme Court judges and justice sector leaders from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Calling for bold reforms to deepen access to justice and strengthen institutions across the continent, the AGF said the challenges confronting women in the justice sector demanded urgent and decisive action.

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who was also represented at the event, disclosed that the federal government has completed residential quarters for judges and delivered new court complexes in Abuja, describing the investments as critical to strengthening judicial independence.

“Without excellence there is no justice, and without justice there is no nation,” Wike said.

Delivering the keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said public confidence remains the foundation of judicial authority, stressing that the judiciary derives its enduring power not from force or finance but from the people’s trust in its impartiality and integrity.

“Excellence is ultimately reflected in the ability of the judiciary to uphold the Constitution, protect the vulnerable, preserve the rule of law, and dispense justice without fear, favour, affection or ill will,” she said.

The Chief Justice of Kenya, Justice Martha Koome, represented by Supreme Court Justice Njoki Ndung’u, called on African governments to actively support women judges seeking appointments to international courts and tribunals, including the International Criminal Court, noting that Kenya has already nominated a candidate to the ICC.

The President of the Court of Appeal and NAWJN President, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said the association remained committed to advancing judicial capacity, promoting equality within the judiciary and fostering collaboration among women judges across the continent.

The conference is expected to run until Friday, June 12, with technical sessions on judicial principles, access to justice, the judiciary as a catalyst for social change and gender inclusion in judicial leadership across Africa.