FG seeks implementation of ACJA reforms in states
By Andrew Orolua, Abuja
Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Dayo Apata, has asked state justice sector reform teams to activate the implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, in their various states.
Apata made the request at the opening of a 3-day Network of Justice Sector Reform Teams conference, holding in Ado-Ekiti.
The workshop is organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice through the Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee (FJSRCC) in conjunction with the Rule of Law and Anti Corruption (ROLAC) project.
The FMOJ through the FJSRCC according to Apata, has embarked on a nation-wide train the trainer workshop for the institutions covered by Sections, 29, 33 and 34 of the ACJA, which border on safeguarding rights of prison inmates.
He therefore urged State Reform Teams to work with the officers of institutions from their state that have been trained to drive the implementation of the provisions in their state using the adopted templates and protocols.
“The templates and protocols set out agreed principles and guidelines for robust information gathering, sharing and management as well as framework for resolving cross institutional problems.
“I urge reform teams to activate the implementation of these provisions of the ACJA in their state for the benefit of our people” Apata said.
Addressing participants, Apata, who serves as chairman of FJSRCC, said with the support of development partners, the Justice Ministry has continued to drive the process of mobilization and sensitization of justice sector stakeholders to reform the justice system for effective and efficient justice service delivery and the promotion of the rule of law.
Apata who was represented at the conference by Mrs Maria Austin Odigie, disclosed that 29 states have constituted justice sector reform teams.
He turfed states that are yet to establish theirs to do so without further delay.
In his address, Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi, applauded the Justice ministry and the FJSRCC on the effort to reform the justice system.
He was represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Ekiti state, Olawale Fapouhunda.
“These meetings have provided a practical framework for the sharing of ideas and important developments in the administration of justice in Nigeria.
“lndeed in my view, the most important objective of this initiative is the sharing of information and expertise of the situation of justice sector reform in our states.
“For us in Ekiti State, the reform of the administration of justice system is not simply a theoretical concept or one that is all about law and justice.
“Government accepts that the socio economic survival of our state depends on our ability to evolve a reform agenda that on one hand meets the expectations of our pecple for a sustainable improvement in the quality of their lives while at the same time promotes fair and equal access to justice for all” the governor stated.
