By Monday Danladi, Bauchi
The Centre for Law Enforcement Education (CLEEN) Foundation has disclosed that the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) is yielding positive results in Bauchi state.
The assertion was made by a member of ACJL Observatory Executives in Bauchi State, Comrade Mbami Sabka Iliya while highlighting some of activities of the group.
According to him, “The implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Bauchi State has yielded several significant successes and demonstrated a positive impact on the criminal justice system.”
He also said that through the efforts of the Civil Society Observatory Group (BSCOG) and its partners, unlawfully detained individuals have been released.
He added that, “One of the most notable successes of the project has been the identification and facilitation of the release of individuals who had been unlawfully detained for extended periods without trial.”
He added that, “Through prison audits and visits, BSCOG identified and successfully facilitated the release of 12 individuals from correctional centers and two minors from a juvenile detention facility. This has helped alleviate overcrowding in prisons and ensured that individuals’ legal rights are respected.”
According to him,”In collaboration with the National Human Rights Commission and other partners, BSCOG conducted quarterly visits to police cells and correctional facilities in Bauchi Metropolis and selected Local Government Areas (LGAs) such as Toro, Ningi, Ganjuwa, Tafawa Balewa, and Warji. ‘
He stressed that, “These visits led to the identification of 20 individuals detained for civil offenses who were subsequently released. This effort contributes to the larger goal of decongesting prisons and reducing the number of individuals held without trial.’
On Enhanced Stakeholder Collaboration, he stated that the project has fostered stronger collaboration between CSOs, government agencies, and the judiciary. Regular meetings and consultations have led to improved communication and cooperation, enabling more effective monitoring of criminal justice processes.
This collective effort has resulted in greater compliance with the ACJL and a more coordinated approach to addressing issues within the justice system.
Speaking on awareness and advocacy for the Rights of Vulnerable Groups, Mbami Sabka stated that BSCOG’s advocacy efforts have successfully raised awareness about the rights of vulnerable groups, such as women and juveniles, within the criminal justice system.
Through outreach campaigns and advocacy to law enforcement and the judiciary, the group has ensured that women who act as sureties are treated fairly, and that minors are not held in adult correctional facilities,the initiatives have contributed to a more just and humane approach to criminal justice in the state.
He also stated that corruption and non-Compliance Reporting, is another areas of focus of BSCOG on tackling corruption and ensuring compliance with the ACJL has led to the petitioning of nine (9) police officers to the Complaints Response Unit for corruption and non-compliance issues.
The successful filing of these complaints highlights the growing willingness of CSOs to hold law enforcement accountable for their actions, fostering greater integrity within the justice system.
Impactful Legal Support: Through partnerships with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and pro bono lawyers, BSCOG has provided legal support to individuals in need, particularly those in detention for long periods without trial. The legal assistance provided has been critical in ensuring that these individuals receive fair representation and that justice is served.
Strengthened Advocacy for ACJL Compliance: The advocacy efforts of BSCOG have contributed to a stronger, more sustained push for compliance with the ACJL. Through stakeholder meetings, public campaigns, and monitoring, the group has been able to keep the issue of ACJL compliance at the forefront of public and governmental discussions. This has led to increased pressure on the relevant authorities to ensure that the law is adhered to and that progress is made in addressing the systemic issues within the criminal justice sector.
Community Engagement and Empowerment: The community awareness campaigns conducted by BSCOG have empowered local residents to better understand their rights under the ACJL and take proactive steps to hold law enforcement accountable. This has increased public participation in the justice process, with citizens now more confident in seeking redress and demanding fair treatment within the criminal justice system.
The three day workshop themed: “Institutional Strengthening For Civil Society Observatory Towards Sustainable Advocacy & Monitoring Implementation of the ACJL Regime in Nigeria”, had Civil Society groups, Media practitioners, Lawyers, among others in attendance.
Highlighting some of the achievements made by the ACJL Observatory EXCO, Mr Mbami Iliya Sabka expressed delight that the intensive advocacy carried out by the Cleen foundation has made the authorities rise up to their responsibilities within the confines of the law.
Mr. Sabka noted that active implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Bauchi State has been largely attributed to strong stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
According to him, the effective. implementation of ACJL is essential to upholding the rights of individuals, ensure timely justice, and combat the systemic challenges in the justice sector.
He said to support the successful execution of the ACJL 2022, the Civil Society Observatory Group (BSCOG) was established in 2023 by CLEEN foundation with the goal of advocating for the law’s implementation and ensuring compliance among all stakeholders
Sabka added that the initiative aimed to address the challenges within the criminal justice system, highlight success stories, and identify lessons learned that will guide future actions for improving access to justice and promoting the rule of law.
He stated that the project has involved regular audits, stakeholder engagements, and advocacy campaigns to influence policy changes and enhance the legal process, with a particular focus on ensuring the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups are protected within the criminal justice system, among others.
He avvered that the successful implementation of the ACJL depends on the capacity of stakeholders, including CSOs, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and legal professionals.
Bauchi State, the Civil Society Observatory Group (BSCOG) has adopted a series of targeted interventions and strategies to address existing challenges in the criminal justice system while promoting compliance with the ACJL 2022.
BSCOG conducts regular monitoring of criminal justice processes to ensure that the ACJL is being adhered to, particularly in areas such as investigation, prosecution, trial timelines, and detention conditions.
Challenges and Lessons Learned:
The implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Bauchi State has led to numerous successes, it has also faced a number of challenges. These challenges have provided valuable lessons that can inform future efforts and help refine strategies for improving the criminal justice system.
Some of the key challenges and lessons learned include Resistance to Change from Key Stakeholders: One of the major challenges encountered was the resistance from some law enforcement agencies and government officials to fully embrace and comply with the provisions of the ACJL.
This resistance often stemmed from entrenched practices, a lack of understanding of the law, and reluctance to change established routines.
Limited Resources for Monitoring and Advocacy: in fact, Despite the successes of the Civil Society Observatory Group (BSCOG), the project has been constrained by limited financial and human resources.
Effective monitoring of the criminal justice system requires significant investment in logistics, staff, and technology, which has sometimes hindered the ability to conduct comprehensive audits and advocacy activities.
Overcrowding in Prisons and Delays in Trials: Although significant progress has been made in decongesting prisons, overcrowding remains a persistent issue. Long delays in trials, often due to administrative bottlenecks or inadequate case management systems, continue to affect the timely administration of justice. This has resulted in many individuals remaining in detention without trial for extended periods.
Corruption within Law Enforcement and the Judiciary: Corruption within police forces, correctional services, and even the judiciary has remained a significant challenge. While efforts have been made to tackle corruption, entrenched practices and lack of accountability continue to undermine the effectiveness of the ACJL.
Lack of Public Awareness of Legal Rights: While the project has focused on raising public awareness, many community members, especially in rural areas, remain unaware of their rights under the ACJL. This lack of awareness limits the ability of the public to advocate for their rights or seek justice when they are violated.
Inadequate Training and Capacity of Judicial and Law Enforcement Personnel: The lack of sufficient training for judicial officers, police, and other law enforcement personnel on the provisions of the ACJL has contributed to inconsistent application of the law. This has often led to delays in trials, wrongful detention, and failure to meet prescribed timelines for criminal cases.
Lack of Coordination Among Stakeholders: While the collaboration between CSOs, law enforcement, and government agencies has improved, there are still gaps in coordination. Sometimes, stakeholders fail to effectively communicate or collaborate on critical issues, which affects the overall impact of the ACJL’s implementation.
The Lessons Learned: The Power of Persistent Advocacy: One of the most important lessons learned is that persistent and well-targeted advocacy can lead to positive change, even in the face of resistance.
The continuous engagement with key stakeholders—particularly law enforcement agencies and the judiciary—has helped foster greater buy-in for the ACJL. Through dialogue and pressure, some stakeholders have begun to adopt better practices, ensuring greater compliance with the law.
Importance of Stakeholder Collaboration: The project has shown that collaboration is key to achieving systemic change. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders—including CSOs, government agencies, legal professionals, and community members—the project has been able to ensure more coordinated efforts and a more holistic approach to addressing challenges in the criminal justice system.
The Need for Capacity Building: It has become clear that building the capacity of law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and CSOs is crucial for the successful implementation of the ACJL. Ongoing training and support are needed to ensure that all stakeholders understand the provisions of the law and are equipped to apply it effectively. Capacity building also helps create a sense of ownership and responsibility among those involved in the justice process.
Public Awareness is Key to Accountability: Raising public awareness about the ACJL and citizens’ rights is vital for ensuring accountability in the criminal justice system. When citizens are informed about their legal rights, they are more likely to demand fair treatment and report abuses. This empowerment of the public can significantly contribute to the success of the ACJL’s implementation.
Adapting to Local Context: The project learned that interventions need to be adapted to the local context to be effective. While advocacy for the ACJL is important, understanding the cultural, social, and political dynamics of the local community is essential for designing successful strategies.
Tailoring advocacy and outreach activities to the needs of specific communities—particularly rural and marginalized populations—has proven to be a more effective approach.
Sustained Funding and Resource Allocation: Adequate funding is essential for the success of the project.
The lessons learned emphasize the importance of securing sustainable financial support to ensure that monitoring, advocacy, and legal support activities can continue without interruption. Without adequate resources, it is challenging to maintain the momentum of the project and ensure its long-term success.
Transparency and Accountability in the Justice System: The project has reinforced the importance of transparency and accountability in all aspects of the criminal justice process. Establishing clear timelines, conducting regular audits, and holding law enforcement and judicial bodies accountable for their actions have all contributed to increasing the effectiveness of the ACJL in Bauchi State.
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