The Federal Ministry of Justice has proposed a budget of ₦460 million for the 2025 financial year, aimed at the procurement of utility vehicles, along with their maintenance and fueling.
As outlined in the 2025 Appropriation Bill submitted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the National Assembly on December 18, ₦350 million is earmarked for the purchase of utility vehicles, ₦110 million for fueling, and ₦45 million for maintenance.
In addition to the vehicle-related budget, the ministry has requested a total of ₦1.5 billion for domestic and international travel expenses. Of this, ₦700 million is allocated for local travel, primarily for training and other official purposes, while ₦800 million is designated for international travel.
It is important to note that these proposals are specifically for the ministry’s headquarters and exclude additional costs for the six agencies under its supervision. These 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 considering a proposal to separate the roles of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) from those of the Minister of Justice. According to Naija News, if approved, the proposal would also result in the separation of the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice at the state level. The bill, co-sponsored by lawmakers Mansur Soro from Bauchi State and Oluwole Oke from Osun State, is currently under review by the House Committee on Constitution Review, chaired by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
The proposed amendment to Section 150 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) seeks to establish a distinct position for the Attorney-General of the Federation, separate from the Minister of Justice. The new sub-section would state, “There shall be an Attorney-General of the Federation who shall be the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, distinct from the person holding the position of Minister of Justice, to be appointed by the President, subject to Senate confirmation.”
Similarly, the bill seeks to amend Section 195 of the Constitution to introduce a new sub-section, which 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.”
