The Nigerian Government has reiterated its commitment to consolidate on the ongoing Justice Sector reform in the country.
The Government therefore tasked the Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee (FJSRCC) to continue to lead the efforts towards reforming Criminal Justice Administration and promotion of the rule of law in the country.
The Acting Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Umar Mohammed made the disclosure in Yola, the Adamawa State capital while declaring open the National Workshop on Implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015,
Mr. Mohammed described domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 as capable of enhancing cross-sector collaboration amongst stakeholders in the Justice administration.
He explained that ”the ACJA provisions were aimed at promoting access to justice and reduction of human rights abuses.”
Represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP, Ministry of Justice, Muhammed Abubakar, the SGF promised that Government would through the Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee (FJSRCC) continue to lead the efforts towards reforming Criminal Justice administration and promotion of the rule of law.
He said, ” Following the validation and adoption of the reporting templates and arrest protocol at the National Workshop held in November, 2018 in Abuja by the heads of the various Justice sectors institutions involved in criminal justice administration led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, it became imperative to train those saddled with the responsibility of actual implementation of the Act.
“The Act has provided a broad legal framework for a more effective cross-sector collaboration and oversight between and amongst agencies in criminal justice administration and the protection of the rights of citizens.”
The above Provision also requires the Chief Magistrate to submit the report from the officer in charge of a Police Station to the Criminal justice Monitoring Committee who is expected to analyze the reports and advise the Attorney General of the Federation and AG of State accordingly.
The Co-Chairman, Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee (FJSRCC), Professor Tabiu Mohammed hailed ACJA, and said that its introduction is changing the Justice System and assured that it would further help curbed some of the challenges.
Professor Mohammed identified implementation as key challenge, stating that ‘‘the monitoring mechanism will not only bring Stakeholders to the same table but will also enable them identify tools to use to achieve set goals.”
Meanwhile the Secretary to the FJSRCC, Felix Ota-Okojie, said that the workshop being organised across the Geopolitical Zones was to keep stakeholders with ACJA Provisions and how to go about its implementation.
The Special Assistant to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Gwandu said ‘‘the move by the Nigerian Government would increase stakeholders’ skills in handling abuses and other related matters in their jurisdictions.”
Human rights
Similarly, the Component Manager, Rule of Law Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC), British Council, Dr. Oluwatoyin Badejogbin expressed worry at the rate at which citizens’ rights are being trampled by law enforcement agencies.
Dr Badejogbin said; “I’m calling on the Nigerian Government to identify key elements in ACJA implementation, and the need for an enduring partnership and interface.”
The workshop which is funded by the European Union (EU) for the North-East Geo-political zone is the Fourth in the series of such trainings in the country.
Participants and stakeholders at the workshop were drawn from the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS), Department of State Security (DSS), Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Legal Aid Council, Ministry of Justice and Magistrates from the States of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
