Low Awareness of Justice Reforms Responsible for More Than 75% of Edo Inmates Awaiting Trial, Says Uromi JDPC Director
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Low Awareness of Justice Reforms Responsible for More Than 75% of Edo Inmates Awaiting Trial, Says Uromi JDPC Director
By Adesuwa Louisa
The Executive Director, Justice Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Uromi, Rev. Fr. Fidelis Arhedo, has disclosed that more than 75 percent of inmates in Edo State correctional centers are awaiting trial, many of whom are held for minor offenses that could be resolved through non-custodial measures.
At a roundtable discussion with journalists in Benin City, Rev. Fr. Arhedo emphasized that increased public and institutional awareness of the Access to Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) could significantly reduce the high number of inmates in correctional facilities. According to him, the ACJL, domesticated in Edo State in 2018, was designed to modernize justice administration, protect human rights, and ensure fairness and transparency.
“Even within the legal community, awareness is limited,” Rev. Fr. Arhedo noted, pointing to a recent survey indicating that many legal practitioners lack reference materials on the ACJL. He explained that critical reforms under the law—including plea bargaining, suspended sentencing, parole, and non-custodial sentencing—remain underutilized due to this gap in awareness.
Rev. Fr. Arhedo called on journalists to help bridge this gap. “The media is a powerful tool for educating the public, holding institutions accountable, and influencing policy change,” he said. “Your role goes beyond reporting on cases; it involves explaining the impact of justice reforms, highlighting challenges in implementation, and giving a voice to stakeholders.”
He urged journalists to provide accurate and responsible reporting to help ensure that the legal provisions of the ACJL are practically applied, bringing justice closer to the lives of ordinary citizens in Edo State.
