PWAN commends Ondo over implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act

A Civil society group, Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) has commended the efforts of the Ondo State Judiciary on the level of implementation of the

Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

This was disclosed during a one day programme where PWAN reeeled out its findings and charted a way forward in blocking the holes occassioned in the administration of the dispensation of criminal justice

PWAN in its release of findings, tagged “Enhancing Transparency and Accountability in the Judicial Sector,” which was presented to stakeholders within the judicial sector in the state, urged the state Judiciary to engage in more community and non custodian sentences to offenders.

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According to the programme officer of PWAN, Henry Anoliefo, who noted that it will go a long way to decongest the correctional facilities to prevent health issues for the inmates.

He also urged the state government to give technological support  through digital recordings to the judiciary to enable it enhance justice delivery and a better livelihood for judges.

He explained that the aim of the studies in court process was to promote the effective implementation of the administration of criminal justice law in the state, while he enjoined the state judiciary to critically look into their recommendations and put to use in the interest of quick dispensation of justice.

He said “this findings has been on since 2017 and this came about because we saw the gaps in different levels of implementation of court proceedings and played out by different actors, so we said how can we help the judiciary if not to monitor the court proceedings so that we can identify those actors that are actually responsible.

“For instance delays in court proceedings and why the provisions of the law are not being kept by various agencies.

“So we said let’s get observers who will now go into the court with pre arranged form given to them, prepared and validated by the stakeholders and join to observe the court from the beginning of trial

“Each observer is assigned three cases where they will now take those cases from the beginning and follow it up to the end of the trial.

This gives us holistic picture about what happened in that particular case and this keep us informed on the cases that were monitor by our observers. So whatever data we release is based on the cases we have monitored.

“I want to tell you that the Chief Judges of the states we have done that were very happy with it because it helps them to see where the gaps is and what they need to do to beef up the process. Abuja and Ondo CJ have been very wonderful with their support”

One of the participants, Ola Olawale commended the group for the reassessment of the administration of criminal justice law noting that it will assist all stakeholders to ensure smooth sailing of the law in the discharge of their duties.

Ondo state was among  the three states of Lagos and the FCT Abuja chosen for the pilot phase of the survey.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE