Concerns over weakening public confidence in the nation’s justice system dominated discussions at the 2026 summit of the Young Lawyers’ Forum of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Kaduna branch, as stakeholders identified gaps in criminal investigation and prosecution as key drivers of insecurity.
The summit, themed “Bridging Law Enforcement and Legal Expertise in Criminal Administration for Effective Security Management,” brought together legal practitioners, law enforcement agencies, judicial officers, media representatives and traditional leaders.
Participants on Friday said recurring instances where suspected criminals were seen back in communities shortly after arrest had contributed to growing distrust in both security agencies and the courts.
The chairman of the Young Lawyers’ Forum in Kaduna, Hassan Sulaiman, said the objective of the gathering was to foster collaboration among stakeholders and address structural weaknesses within the justice system.
He noted that ineffective investigations often result in weak prosecution, making it difficult for courts to secure convictions.
“When investigations are not thorough, prosecutors are left with insufficient evidence. This ultimately affects the outcome in court and undermines efforts to address insecurity,” he said.
Sulaiman added that the summit also examined public perception, media influence and human rights considerations in criminal justice administration, stressing that security was a shared responsibility.
Also speaking, the chairman of Kaduna NBA branch, Barrister Baba lLawal Aliyu, emphasised the need for synergy between the bar, the bench and law enforcement agencies to improve outcomes in criminal cases.
He said, “We must ensure proper investigation and diligent prosecution so that offenders are held accountable. Without coordination among stakeholders, justice delivery will remain ineffective.”
Aliyu acknowledged that many Nigerians had lost confidence in public institutions due to perceived lapses in governance and service delivery, and urged urgent reforms.
Another participant, Ahmad Abdullahi, maintained that while the Constitution guarantees the right of suspects to legal representation, lapses in investigation and prosecution often weaken cases in court.
“The right to defence is fundamental, but when cases are not properly built from the investigation stage, the court may have no option than to discharge the suspect,” he said.
On his part, the Chief Magistrate of Kaduna, Justice Muhammadu Lawal, acknowledged the erosion of public trust in the justice system and called for integrity and accountability among judicial officers.