Access to justice, equity and fairness are fundamental building blocks of the democratic experience in Western Civilizations where the rule of law originated. Knowing that one can get justice no matter one’s status is the lubrication that democratic societies need to function in an orderly and progressive manner.
The rule of law, rather than the rule of force, is a critical foundation of democratic governance, critical for maintaining order, protecting individual freedoms, and ensuring justice and accountability in public governance.
One of the primary functions of the rule of law is to ensure that everyone is equal before the law. This principle makes sure that all citizens, regardless of their status or influence, are treated equally. Doing this builds public trust in legal systems, as individuals are more likely to respect laws that apply uniformly. In a democratic context, this equality is essential for encouraging citizens to participate in governance and hold leaders accountable.
In addition, the rule of law upholds fundamental rights and freedoms, which are crucial for democracy. It establishes legal protections that allow individuals to seek justice and redress against abuses from authorities or other citizens. With these protections in place, individuals are encouraged to express their views, participate in political processes, and advocate for their rights, thus fostering a vibrant civil society.
Additionally, a robust rule of law contributes to social order by promoting stability and predictability. When citizens trust that laws will be enforced fairly, they are more likely to comply with them, reducing conflict and fostering cooperation. This social stability is key to maintaining peace and harmony within communities.
However, the rule of law is oftentimes threatened by corruption, inadequate legal frameworks, and dictatorial tendencies of leaders. To strengthen this principle, societies must promote transparency, protect the independence of the judiciary, and educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities. Engaging the public in discussions about the rule of law strengthens democratic values and enhances accountability.
In summary, the rule of law is essential for the health of democracy and the maintenance of social order. By ensuring equality, protecting rights, and promoting stability, it serves as the bedrock of a just society. Continuous efforts are necessary to uphold and strengthen this principle, ensuring that it remains a cornerstone for future generations.
In order for the rule of law to be enjoyed by citizens, however, justice itself must be accessible to all. It is this accessibility that is at the heart of a functional Justice System.
Though we cannot yet say Uhuru in Delta State, the steady re-engineering of the Justice delivery system in the state represents Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s commitment to strengthening a key pillar of a thriving democratic experience.
For those who have been at the receiving end of a dysfunctional justice system, one in which access to courts by prison inmates was dependent on an undependable transportation system by the Nigerian Correctional Service, the introduction of the Virtual Court Hearing System, which is now operational in High Courts and Custodial Centres across the state, allows defendants to give evidence directly from correctional centres, through the use of technological tools, thus eliminating delays and logistical challenges associated with transporting inmates to court.
Delta State Ministry of Justice is also implementing a state-wide Criminal Biometrics Project, designed to capture comprehensive data including photographs, fingerprints, and iris scans of all individuals who have ever passed through the state’s criminal justice system.
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, announced this initiative in Asaba during the fourth-quarter National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN).
He explained that “the system will store fingerprints, eye colour, and full criminal profiles of individuals arraigned in court, awaiting trial, facing prosecution, convicted, sentenced, or held in correctional facilities.
According to him, the digital infrastructure, a key component of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda, positions Delta State as one of the most technologically advanced justice ecosystems in Nigeria.
He noted that the long-term implications will extend to background checks, employment screening, credit assessments, and passport processing.
“If you come into Delta State, don’t commit a crime. We will have your records forever,” he warned, adding that implementation has already begun
This initiative mirrors global best practices and significantly strengthens case tracking, security, and identity verification.
As part of the re-engineering process, the Justice Ministry has also commenced the digitisation of its internal operations, ensuring that every file received from the police is uploaded onto an electronic case management platform. This enables the Attorney-General to monitor file movement in real time and ensures strict compliance with statutory timelines.
Also, ‘The Laws of Delta State’ are now fully accessible online at no cost to the public. Citizens, investors, legal practitioners, and researchers can view all state laws by simply searching “e-laws of Delta State” or visiting the Ministry of Justice website.
To further buttress the fact that the reforms in the Justice sector in the state are intentional, Governor Oborevwori personally admonished six newly sworn in Judges on the 28th of January, warning that the erosion of public trust in the Judiciary poses a grave threat to peace, law and order, stressing that when citizens lose faith in the justice system, they may resort to self-help, a situation capable of plunging society into chaos and anarchy.
Those sworn in as judges of the Delta State High Court were Justice Otite Jonah Akpobaro, Justice Jereoma Sam-Oligida, Justice Irene Boeye Ukuli and Justice Otome Benjamin Adamidenyo, while Justice Bridget Onome Ojeikere and Justice Stella Ovuorieroro Okah were sworn in as Justices of the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal.
Governor Oborevwori said the stability of any democratic society rests heavily on a credible, transparent and independent judiciary, noting that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
According to him, only a judiciary that acts without fear or favour can sustain public trust, guarantee justice for all, and preserve social harmony in the state and the nation.
“As you begin this new journey as privileged members of the Bench, I expect you to uphold the same spirit of hard work, commitment, excellence and high ethical standards that qualified you for this noble office,” the governor said.
He cautioned judges to resist all forms of temptation capable of compromising judicial independence, stressing that during adjudication, it is often the judge, rather than the litigants, who is ultimately on trial in the court of public opinion.
Governor Oborevwori reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the justice delivery system in the state, describing the swearing-in ceremony as another milestone in efforts to build a judiciary that is functional, fast, fair and accessible.
He noted that appointment of the additional judges would help decongest courts, reduce delays and bring justice closer to the people, particularly those in rural communities.
He also outlined several reforms and interventions undertaken by his administration to support the judiciary, including the approval for the construction of judges’ quarters across the state, renovation of magistrates’ and customary courts, and the digitisation of the Laws of Delta State, now accessible on the state government’s website.
The governor further disclosed that virtual court hearing facilities have been installed in High Courts in Asaba and in correctional centres in Warri, Ogwashi-Uku and Sapele, supported by solar installations to ensure uninterrupted proceedings.
He added that plans were underway to introduce automated court recording systems to improve accuracy and speed in judicial proceedings.
Highlighting broader justice sector reforms, Oborevwori said the state had introduced the Delta State Criminal Information System, a centralized digital platform for criminal profiling, case management and offender tracking using biometric data, including fingerprints and DNA.
He explained that the initiative would enhance public safety, accountability and crime prevention, while complementing virtual court hearings conducted directly from correctional centres.
The governor also announced that, for the first time in the history of the state, a career civil servant, Mr. Omamuzo Erebe, Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, attained the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2025, describing the feat as a reflection of the quality of Delta State’s public service.
As part of efforts to further deepen grassroots Justice Delivery in the state, Governor Obvorevwori also recently approved the appointment of 426 Justices of the Peace across communities in the three Senatorial Districts of the state whose responsibilities would include community peace-building, maintaining public order and enhancing access to Justice across communities.
While inaugurating the Justices of the Peace, Chief Judge of Delta State, the Honourable Justice Tessy Diai, represented by the Honourable Justice Godwin Briki-Okolosi, stated that the calibre of individuals screened and found suitable for appointment as Justices of the Peace is a reflection of the importance attached to the office by the government of Delta State.”
Justice Diai explained that the legal foundation of the office of the Justice of the Peace is Section 12, sub-section 1 of the Magistrate Court Law, Cap M1, laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.
The Chief Judge noted that the powers and functions of the Office of the Justice of the Peace are “well-defined and enshrined in section 13 of the magistrate law.”
She enumerated some of the powers and functions of the Justice of the Peace to include powers to suppress riots and other disorderly assemblages, power to direct post-mortem examinations under section 12 of the Coroner’s law as well as powers to issue warrants and summonses for the purpose of compelling attendance of an accused person before a court.
Other powers and functions, according to Justice Diai, include powers to admit to bail persons accused but not convicted of a crime, to issue search warrants, to take solemn affirmations and statutory declarations, as well as “all the powers, rights and duties of a Magistrate under this law, any other Law or Act.”
Justice Diai told the appointees that their duties were not ceremonial but statutory in nature. He advised the appointees to discharge their responsibilities dutifully for the smooth administration of Justice, and for the overall interest of Justice and Peace in the state,
Overall, the administration of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has continued to show a deliberate intention to simplify the criminal Justice System in the state through innovations in the justice delivery system, midwifed at the Ministry of Justice.
The Ministry has also reinforced its position in capacity-building initiatives, rolling out strategic training programmes aimed at enhancing competence, efficiency and professionalism among its legal officers.
The administration’s ongoing commitment to upholding the rule of law can significantly enhance democratic governance and contribute to the overall development of Delta State. Providing continuous training for law enforcement officials on best practices for evidence collection, suspect handling, and legal procedures will help to minimize errors that delay cases.
In conclusion, the simplification of the criminal justice system in Delta State involves a combination of policy reforms, civic engagement and technological solutions that can make access to Justice easier for the generality of Deltans.
Under the supervision of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, innovations such as the enhanced use of technology in court processes, provision of technological solutions to the Delta State Police Command for law enforcement officials on best practices for evidence collection, handling of suspects and other legal procedures that can minimize errors in case preparation for trial as well as undue delays in cases.
Ohwovoriole has also recently inaugurated the Civil Service Unit in the Ministry which is aimed at strengthening the state’s legal capacity to manage labour and industrial relations disputes, particularly employer/employee litigations involving the state and its agencies.
In addition to this is the establishment of the Anti-Drug Unit within the ministry of Justice, tasked with supporting law enforcement agencies in combating drug-related offences in the state.
Also, the Delta State Task Force Against Human Trafficking and Irregular migration, headed by Ohwovoriole, is currently equipping secondary schools in the three Senatorial Districts of the state to take an active role in preventing human trafficking through partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), in the implementation of the Schools Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP), in Delta State.
Going forward, in addition to the judicial innovations outlined above, one could also make a case for mobile courts that can visit rural areas to handle minor infractions of the law, thereby reducing the burden on higher Courts and making justice more accessible to the people; enhancement of the services of the free legal aid to help marginalised citizens have access to legal representation, as well as implementing a judicial performance monitoring system where certain metrics are introduced to assess the performance of judges and law enforcement, focusing on timely case resolutions and the adherence to legal timelines to improve accountability.
As the administration enters its third year, implementing these initiatives will further enhance the justice delivery capability of the state government, making it more efficient and accessible for all citizens. In addition, continuous collaboration between the Ministry of Justice, community organisations, law enforcement agencies and civil society will be crucial for success.