Stakeholders Converge To Domesticate Implementation Of ACJA In Plateau
By Daniel Agada, Jos
In a bid to actualize the implementation of administration of criminal Justice Act (2015) ACJA, a critical stakeholders has converge in Jos to chat a new course.
The ACJA stakeholders who met to strategize are the officials of Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian correctional center and Plateau Judiciary respectively.
The combined training workshop is organized by Uchefem and Co consultant.
Speaking at the official opening of the training on Tuesday in Crispan Hotels, Jos the state capital, Uche Owefe Chief executive officer of Uchefem and Co revealed that the training is for States where the ACJA have been adopted or have embarked on reforms to that effect.
“We started the programme in 2018 and have so far conducted training in 11 states and FCT, namely: Anambra, Kaduna, Delta, Kogi, Lagos, Cross River, Benue, Yobe, Enugu, Akwa Ibom and now Plateau State.
“The aim of the training is to provide forum for sharing and tackling cross-sectoral challenges experienced in administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.
“The training is bringing together the police (investigation and prosecution segment), the courts, particularly magistrates where the bulk of criminal cases are tried and the corrections where persons are held for a long time without trial, and where human rights violations are likely to occur.
“Participants will share experiences and knowledge of human rights issues and devise strategies of improving criminal justice delivery devoid of human rights violations.
“It is also intended that interagency challenges hampering smooth administration of criminal justice will be highlighted and possible solutions shared for collective self-interest. This will bring forth the interdependence of all arms of the criminal justice administration”, Owefe mentioned.
Declaring the workshop open, the Chief judge of Plateau State, Hon. Justice Yakubu Dakwak said Court is following the rule of law and due process.
Dakwak opines that as much as Nigeria experience growth in population so also crime increased which lead to infraction of rule of law.” People are not ready to obey the rule of law.”
He said human rights is very key as far as 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as (amended) is concerned, therefore, it is high time for difference arms of criminal Justice to work together in achieving the purpose of their calling for the betterment of their various communities, state and Nigeria as a whole.
However, the deputy commissioner of police criminal investigation department (CID) Mohammad Bunu identified
long period of arraignment of suspect, rejection of warrant as result of under age and big-mannism as some of the reasons truncating effective administration of criminal justice.
The Controller of correctional center Jos, SB Aguda laments the high rate of inmates in the facility.
He said there are convict who overstayed their welcome in the custodian center, calling on the Government to do the needful.
Recall the stakeholders training on the implementation of administration of criminal justice Act 2015 which commenced from 23rd is expected to round 26th November, 2021.
