Ministry Of Justice To Spend ₦2 Billion On Fuel, Procurement Of Vehicles In 2025

The Federal Ministry of Justice has put forward a budget of ₦460 million for the procurement of utility vehicles, as well as for their maintenance and fueling, for the 2025 financial year.

Additionally, the ministry is requesting ₦1.5 billion allocated for both domestic and international travel.

These figures are outlined in the 2025 Appropriation Bill, which was submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the National Assembly on December 18.

According to the document, ₦350 million is earmarked for the purchase of utility vehicles, ₦110 million is designated for fueling, and ₦45 million is allocated for maintenance.

Furthermore, the ministry plans to allocate ₦700 million for local travel related to training and other purposes, while ₦800 million is intended for international travel.

It is important to note that this proposal pertains solely to the headquarters and does not include additional costs proposed by the six agencies under the ministry’s supervision.

The agencies include the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Legal Aid Council, Council of Legal Education, Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, National Human Rights Commission, Regional Centre for International Arbitration, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the Nigerian Copyright Commission.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives is reportedly deliberating a proposal to separate the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) roles from those of the Minister of Justice.

Naija News reports that should the proposal be approved, the offices of the Attorney General at the state level will also be distinct from that of the Commissioner of Justice.

This bill, co-sponsored by two lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party, Mansur Soro (representing the Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency in Bauchi State) and Oluwole Oke (from Osun), is undergoing legislative review by the House Committee on Constitution Review, which Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu chairs.

The bill’s objective is to amend Section 150 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by introducing a new sub-section 1.

They proposed that “There shall be an Attorney-General of the Federation who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the Federation different from the person occupying the position of the Minister of Justice to be appointed by the President, subject to the confirmation of the Senate.”

It also seeks to introduce a sub-section to Section 195 of the Constitution.

The new sub-section to be introduced reads, “There shall be an Attorney-General for each State who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the State to be appointed by the Governor, subject to the confirmation of the House of Assembly.”