by Ahmed Kaigama
Stakeholders in Bauchi State have called for urgent reforms to improve the justice delivery system in Nigeria.
They made the call at a one-day capacity-building workshop on the National Minimum Standards for effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), organised by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) on Tuesday in Bauchi.
They specifically raised concerns over the poor implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL)
Speaking Chief Magistrate Safiya Musa, expressed worry that Bauchi State ranked 28th nationwide in justice administration, far behind Nasarawa, which ranks third.
“We have not done enough. The ACJL is in place, but its implementation remains poor.
“We need to wake up and do more,”
Musa commended the MacArthur Foundation and CSLS support and called for stronger collaboration in the state.
Contributing, ASP Ahmed Tata, spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Bauchi Command, decried the congestion in correction centres, which currently holds over 900 inmates, including nearly 600 awaiting trial.
He blamed the slow pace of justice delivery for the overcrowding.
Tata said that the full implementation of the ACJL would help decongest facilities.
Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), Executive Director of CSLS, represented by Ms Sharon Jibaniya, said similar workshops were ongoing nationwide to finalise the National Minimum Standards in criminal procedures in the justice sector.
Participants at the workshop included the Nigerian Bar Association, ICPC, EFCC, State Attorneys-General, NCoS, and the Police.
The ACJA 2015 is designed to address issues like delays in criminal trials, ensure speedy dispensation of justice, and protect the rights of suspects, defendants, and victims.
