By Rauf Oyewole
A legal body, Centre for Socio-Legal Studies has advocated for the full implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Laws (ACJLs) to in a bid to reduce the burden of awaiting trials and decongest the Nation's correctional centres.
The Centre also appeal to the heads of agencies to collectively advocate for and actively monitor the implementation of the ACJLs in alignment with the National Minimum Standards, saying that the country urgently needs a stronger, more coordinated, and responsive criminal justice system.
The President of the Centre, Prof Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN) made the appeal during at one-day workshop on effective implementation of ACJA/ACJLs in Bauchi on Tuesday. The President whom was represented by Barr. Sharon Jibaniya said that the National Minimum Standards (NMS) document represents a unified framework that sets the benchmark for quality, accountability, and effectiveness in our national systems—be it in justice delivery, service provision, governance, education, or any sector of concern.
The workshop was attended by the Comptroller, Correctional Service, Commissioner of Police of Bauchi State, The Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp Bauchi State, Director of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Chairman, NBA, The Chair, FIDA, Bauchi Branch, Bauchi State, The State Coordinator, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Bauchi State.
In his remarks, public relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Bauchi State Command, Assistant Superintendent Ahmed Tata, said that 600 out of 900 inmates in the State correctional centres are currently awaiting trial for various offences.
Tata expressed concern over the persistent overcrowding in correctional centres across the state, attributing the situation to the slow pace of the justice system. He emphasised the need for effective implementation of the ACJL to address the problem.
“The document has been in existence, but whenever there’s a case, those without judgments are simply remanded. If properly implemented, this law will help reduce congestion in our centres. Currently, out of over 900 inmates, almost 600 are awaiting trial. A speedy justice system will significantly decongest our facilities.”
Also speaking at the workshop, Chief Magistrate Sefiya Musa described the training as timely, lamenting that Bauchi State ranks 28th nationwide in terms of justice administration, while Nasarawa State is ranked third.
“We used to think we were doing well in implementing laws, but hearing the facts today is a wake-up call,” she said. “The MacArthur Foundation has supported implementation efforts, but we must do more by encouraging one another and addressing existing gaps,” she said.
0 Comments