By Abdulkareem Haruna

Maiduguri, Nigeria – Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has pledged to undertake a sweeping review of the state’s legal framework, aiming to align existing laws with contemporary realities and bolster their effectiveness in deterring crime.

The promise, made Friday during the launch of a new Digital Case Management System at the Borno State Ministry of Justice, signals a significant push for legal reform before the end of Zulum’s tenure.


The governor specifically highlighted the need to revise the penal code, arguing that current punishments fail to provide adequate deterrence for offenders. “Most of the provisions of the laws, especially the penal code laws, need to be reviewed,” Zulum stated. “At present, the punishment in the provisions of the law cannot provide the needed deterrence for defaulters. And that is what my administration will look into it so that before the expiration of my tenure, insha Allah, we shall have laws that are in tandem with current realities.”

Zulum with the chief judge of Borno inspecting digital tools at the library

The event, held at the Musa Usman Secretariat, also showcased the Ministry of Justice’s new logo, core values, mission statement, and an e-library — all part of a broader digital transformation initiative.
Governor Zulum affirmed his administration’s full support for this modernization drive, emphasizing that the new Digital Case Management System is expected to enhance efficiency, reduce delays, and elevate the standard of legal practice across the state.

He also reiterated a commitment to improving staff welfare, training, and career development for state counsels, specifically offering support for lawyers pursuing further education. “I am happy to see many female lawyers,” he noted. “I want to assure you that any person who wants to further his education, I am willing to do that.”


The governor lauded the State Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Kashim Zannah, for his pioneering efforts in introducing a digital case management system to the state judiciary five years ago, making Borno the first in Nigeria to adopt such an innovation. He also commended the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Hauwa Abubakar, for her leadership and reformative initiatives within the ministry.

Zulum inspecting a modern library at the ministry of justice


Justice Zannah, in turn, praised Governor Zulum’s transformative governance, advocating for the digitization of state laws to improve public accessibility. “In my career, I have never seen a government meticulously promulgating laws to see that every agency of government is governed by a law,” Zannah remarked. “Almost every month, laws signed by His Excellency come to me, and the best way to make them accessible is to digitize them.”


Barr. Abubakar described the day’s event as a “significant milestone” in institutional reforms, reinforcing the ministry’s dedication to efficient, people-centered justice. “The unveiling of our new identity is not merely a symbolic gesture; it embodies our renewed focus, clarity of purpose, and unwavering dedication to public service,” she said. “It signifies a ministry that is evolving to meet the challenges of modern governance while remaining steadfast in its commitment to justice, fairness, and integrity.”


The governor’s pledge to overhaul Borno’s legal framework signals a proactive approach to addressing crime and modernizing the state’s justice system, aiming for more effective deterrence and a more accessible legal landscape for its citizens.

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