CLEEN Foundation Moves To Strengthen ACJA, Women’s Security In 12 States

CLEEN Foundation has launched a new project to strengthen the rights-based approach to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act Framework and advance Nigeria’s women, peace, and security agenda.

At the event, acting executive director of CLEEN Foundation, Peter Maduoma said, “The project will focus on strengthening right-based approaches to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) frameworks and, secondly, advancing women, peace, and security (WPS) in Nigeria.

“CLEEN will leverage its extensive experience in security sector reform and gender-responsive interventions over the years to deliver on this project.

We are also confident that working with our other strategic partners present in this hall, both at the national, sub-national and local levels, this intervention will consolidate previous efforts while strategically addressing critical gaps in the implementation of the ACJA/L in twelve states of Nigeria (Enugu, Imo, Lagos, Ekiti, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Jigawa, Adamawa, Cross-River and Akwa Ibom) and support the effective operationalization of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in five states of Imo, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa respectively.”

Also speaking, the assistant director of public prosecution at the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice office, David Emmanuel, who represented the minister, said the full implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in 12 States of the Federation — namely Ekiti, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Enugu, Benue, Plateau, Gombe, Adamawa, Kaduna, and Jigawa will strengthening justice delivery, enhancing accountability, and ensure that the protection of citizens’ rights remains central to our justice system.

He further stated that the ACJA has already proven to be a transformative legal framework at the federal level, and extending its complete application across the states will further deepen respect for human rights, promote speedy trials, and reduce the incidence of prolonged detention.

He also said, “The effective operationalisation of the women, peace and security (WPS) agenda in five states — Imo, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa speaks to our recognition of the critical role women play in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and the promotion of inclusive governance. By institutionalising the WPS agenda, we are strengthening our justice and security frameworks and ensuring that women’s voices, perspectives, and leadership are meaningfully integrated into decision-making processes that affect national peace and stability.”

Meanwhile, Mitchell Hovi, the representative of the Royal Norwegian Embassy as the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim, said, “Norway is proud to support initiatives that promote peace, justice, and inclusive societies. The work of the Cleen Foundation in advancing accountability, good governance, and community engagement aligns strongly with our shared values and our commitment to strengthening democratic institutions.

“This launch marks not only the beginning of a project, but also a continuation of our partnership with Nigerian civil society—partnerships built on trust, shared responsibility, and the belief that sustainable change comes from the grassroots and within communities.”

The administrator, National Judicial Institute (NJI), Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo said, “The Women, Peace And Security (WPS) agenda (otherwise referred to as UNSCR 1325) is an all-encompassing resolution that emphasizes the importance of fully involving women and offering them equal participation in processes put in place to sustain and bolster peace and security, including participation in decision-making This lends credence to the assertion of American Lawyer and Jurist – Ruth Bader Ginsberg, that ‘Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.’

“Additionally, the WPS Agenda calls the attention of stakeholders all over the world to the imperative need of protecting women from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse in situations of armed conflict.”