CLEEN FOUNDATION, STAKEHOLDERS BRAINSTORM TO ENHANCE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
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CLEEN FOUNDATION, STAKEHOLDERS BRAINSTORM TO ENHANCE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Joy Richardson
In his welcome remark, the Executive Director of Cleen Foundation, Dr Peter Gad represented by the programme officer, Blessing Eromon, welcomed participants to the two day citizens engagement on police reform and accountability of Justice sector actors in Nigeria, held in Benin City, Edo State on Wednesday 21st August and Thursday 22nd August, 2024.
It was a gathering of legal professionals, scholars, Civil Society Organization, CSOs and practitioners dedicated to enhancing the criminal justice system.
Programme Officer, Blessing Eromon said “CLEEN Foundation as a leading organization within the Justice Sector is particularly convinced that bringing stakeholders together to reflect on the importance of citizens’ engagement on policing reform efforts and how accountable justice actors are in the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Regime in Nigeria will address gaps, improve police community relations and joint problem solving approaches to improving the criminal justice system and justice for all”.
According to her “administration of justice is the cornerstone of any society that upholds the rule of law, and our collective efforts are pivotal in ensuring that it remains robust and effective, she added.
Senior programme officer, Benard Ekobay observed that it was imperative to establish a well-functional and accountable policing reform and justice systems pivotal to addressing corruption effectively, which in turn is important for national development.
He further stated that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act provisions by criminal justice actors in Nigeria is very pertinent and all stakeholder must work in harmony.
In her Goodwill Message, Chairperson Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ Edo State, Adesuwa Louisa Ehimuan stated that the prevalence of corruption in the judicial sector, remains a major obstacle hindering the fight against corruption in the country.
The Assistant Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (Benin) Lion Branch, Osayuki King Agbonghae, Esq., in his goodwill message on behalf of the Branch Chairman, Nosa Francis Edo-Osagie said, “the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 stands as a transformative piece of legislation in Nigeria, one that has reshaped our legal landscape and reinforced our commitment to justice”.
Chairperson FIDA, Edo State, Violet Olumese,commended CLEEN Foundation’s dedication to promoting public safety, security, and accessible justice.
The policing reforms and accountability, citizens came together to express their demands to various stakeholders within the justice system.
Participants also called for greater support for bills sponsored by private citizens and insisted on public hearings for all proposed bills to ensure transparency and public involvement in the legislative process.
Among the prominent demands were the quick dispensation of justice and the harmonization of duplicated laws and portfolios to streamline legal processes.
The session culminated in the presentation of a document detailing these citizens’ demands, which had been collaboratively drafted by the stakeholders in attendance.
The chairman of the CSO Observatory group, Dr. Bright Oniovokukor presented the document to key figures, including the Officer in Charge of Legal department at the State Headquarters Police, a representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Public Relations Officer-Elect of the Nigeria Bar Association, Edo State.
