News Editor
From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi
The Justice and Rights Initiative (JRI) in partnership with the Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS) have called on the Benue state government and relevant organizations to ensure a full and effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in the state.
The Acting Executive Director, JRI Solomon Torluam, who made the call during a press conference in Makurdi on Friday, noted that the two organizations ledadvocacy for the domestication of the Benue state ACJL in the state but noted that despite its enactment in 2019, the law is yet to be fully implemented by the critical stakeholders in criminal justice sector, seven years after.
He also disclosed that the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee which is supposed to monitor the implementation of the ACJL in the state is not active as a result of lack of funding.
Torluam, who observed that some of the novel provisions of the ACJL, 2019 are yet to be implemented by the relevant stakeholders, said the Nigerian Correctional Service in Benue State lack major facilities including non establishment of Community Service Centre, non establishment of rehabilitation facility, no functional Parole Board/Committee, non funding of the Non-Custodial Centre.
According to him, “There is general lack of commitment on the part of government to implement the ACJL as demonstrated by lack of funding.”
He stated that the two bodies are partnering the media as crucial stakeholders in achieving the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) urging them to help educate the public and stakeholders about the provisions and objectives of the ACJL, by promoting awareness of their rights and the changes in legal procedures.
He also urged criminal justice actors to engage the media to push for necessary reforms and improvements in the law’s implementation based on public sentiment and observed shortcomings.
He noted that sharing positive outcomes and success stories related to the ACJL through media engagements can inspire confidence in the system and encourage cooperation from various stakeholders, including law enforcement, legal practitioners, and the public.
“A well-informed populace is more likely to comply with legal procedures. Media engagements can therefore, serve as a conduit for public feedback, helping authorities understand the impact of the ACJL on the community and making adjustments based on real experiences.”
The Human Rights Law Service and Justice and Rights Initiative called on the media as stakeholders and partners to foster a more informed and involved public while ensuring the effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in Benue State.
Also speaking, the Head of Human Rights Education and Promotion at the National Human Rights Commission, (NHRC), Desmond Jinge called for sustained media campaigns to ensure the public knows their rights as contained the ACJL to enable them make informed decisions.
