Stakeholders’ collaboration key in accessing justice — NHRC

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has said that access to justice can be achieved through collaborative efforts of stakeholders.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN stated this in a message to a round table event on access to justice in Nigeria, organised by NHRC in collaboration with Firma Advisory an access to justice initiative held in Abuja.

Speaking through the Director, Social, Economic and Cultural Rights in the Commission, Mr Harry Obe at the event with the theme, “Enhancing access to justice in Nigeria through strategic stakeholders collaboration”, Ojukwu said access to justice is a critical issue that affects everyone.

He added that, enhancing access to justice in Nigeria through strategic stakeholders of collaboration is the key and added further that, “Access to justice is a fundamental human right, enshrine in our constitution, and regional and other international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a part.

“Awareness, limited access to legal services, and various other reasons are reasons hindering it. Today, we are gathered to explore ways to address this problem, we recognise that this cannot be achieved by any organisation or agency alone, it requires collaborative efforts of stakeholders like government agencies, civil society
organisations , legal practitioners and community leaders” he said.

The NHRC boss said, there will be engagement in global discussions , sharing of experiences and exploring of innovative solutions to improve justice in nigeria adding that, contributions of stakeholders will bring out reasonable solution to the issue.

In her keynote address, the Managing partner of Firma Advisory, Ms Chinenye Uwanaka said, economic factor is responsible for lack of access to justice, adding that there should be an enabling environment for justice to be accessible.

She decried the detention of people at custodian centers over minor offences and those involved in heinous crimes are allowed to walk free on the streets.

Uwanaka called on law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to wake up to their responsibilities to help decongest the custodian centers.

In her words, “Lawyers as conscience of the society should step up, take up more human rights cases, be involved in public interest litigation.

She called for proper funding of the NHRC, Legal Aid Council to enable them to discharge their duties accordingly.

Justice Stella Anukam, judge of the African Court on Human and people’s right, Mr Henry Kelechukwu Eni-Otu of Asabe Waziri Justice Advocacy initiative and Isaiah Bozimo, former Delta Attorney General all spoke on the the theme of the event and other topics.

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