The Law Hub Development and Advocacy Center (LHDAC) said the organization will continue to promote the Advocacy of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in Nigeria to enhance the wide dissemination, comprehensive acceptance, and implementation of the laws within the project states.
Director of LHDAC, Mr. Osita Chukwuma, stated this at a one-day capacity training on the Nasarawa state administration of criminal justice law 2018 in Lafia. He said the Advocacy Center identified insufficient understanding of laws provisions and purposes as the root cause of Poor implementation of Criminal Justice, hence the advocacy
Represented by the consultant of LHDAC, Joshua Gbenga, Osita emphasized the importance of the active involvement of all stakeholders, both on the demand and supply sides, to effectively enforce the laws.
The director explained that LHDAC is tasked with implementing the MacArthur Foundation on Nigeria 2.0. project in 12 states of Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Delta, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, and Oyo.
“The Law Hub Development and Advocacy Centre believes that the root cause of poor implementation lies in the insufficient understanding of the laws’ provisions and purpose. To address this, the project will focus on promoting the ACJLs sustainably. This will be achieved by working closely with the ACJMCs/CJSRCs (Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee/Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee) and enhancing the wide dissemination, comprehension, acceptance, and implementation of the laws within the project states.
“The project emphasizes the importance of the active involvement of all stakeholders, both on the demand and supply sides, to effectively enforce the laws. An informed population is vital in demanding adherence to laws from duty-bearers and holding them accountable in case of negligence.
“In light of the above, the Law Hub Development Advocacy Centre is tasked with implementing the MacArthur On Nigeria 2.0. project in 12 states – Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Delta, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Oyo”; Chukwuma started.
Chukwuma added that the Administration Of Criminal Justice Act ACJA’s overarching objective was to establish a criminal justice system that promotes effective management of institutions, expedites legal proceedings, and safeguards the rights and interests of suspects, defendants, and victims. “This progressive approach sets the tone for a justice system that upholds the dignity of every individual involved,” he added.
The director noted that the project, funded by MacArthur Foundation, ultimately aims to strengthen the criminal justice system in Nigeria by fostering a deeper appreciation of the provisions of the ACJLs in the 12 states and to popularize, disseminate the ACJLs while also setting a standard for their review and improvement.
In her speech, the chief justice of Nasarawa state, Aisha Bashir Aliyu, seeks collaboration from the police and other security agencies to work with the judiciary for easy and timely administration of criminal justice.
While calling on magistrates to avoid indiscriminate remand of accused persons, especially those with minor cases, she said they should rather grant them bail in other not to contest the Correctional centers.
On their part, the Controller of Correctional Center in Nasarawa state, Ibrahim Yanusa Adda, and the commissioner of police Mayaiki Baba Muhammad represented by the Assistant Commissioner Legal, Aliyu Asku Danjuma, all seek collaboration with relevant stakeholders and agencies for easy and timely administration of criminal justice.