The CLEEN Foundation, a justice sector reform NGO, with support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy, has organised a five-day stakeholders’ workshop in Gombe State to strengthen the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).
Supported by the Norwegian Embassy, the workshop brought together key actors in the justice sector, including representatives from the judiciary, police, correctional services, civil society organisations, the Ministry of Justice, magistrates, local vigilante groups, and traditional hunters.
The Senior Programme Officer at CLEEN Foundation, Mr Bernard Ekobay, noted that Gombe was one of twelve Nigerian states selected for the initiative.
Others include Adamawa, Plateau, Benue, Imo, Enugu, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Ekiti, Jigawa, and Kaduna.
Mr Ekobay said, “The engagement in Gombe was designed to assess and enhance the functionality of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) in Gombe State since the ACJL was enacted five years ago.”
“Some stakeholders are unaware of the contents of the law, while others know it exists but are not familiar with its provisions. The aim is to bridge this knowledge gap and align local practices with national standards,” he explained.
Mr Ekobay commended the efforts of Gombe State in the introduction of custodial measures and improvements in correctional facilities.
However, he highlighted critical gaps in the legal aid system, citing poor staffing and performance.
“Gombe currently has fewer than five legal aid officers. This means that many individuals lack access to legal representation daily, weekly and monthly. It’s a major concern,” he said
Mr Ekobay also expressed concern over the inactivity of the ACJMC in the state, revealing that while the committee was technically constituted, it has not convened in the past five years.
“Some members of the committee are not even aware they belong to it,” he added.
Despite the challenges, Mr Ekobay is optimistic, stressing that regular workshops, trainings, retreats, and improved inter-agency collaboration will significantly enhance the sector’s performance.
“This process is about building capacity, identifying gaps, and working collaboratively to reform the justice sector,” he concluded.