Expert Seeks Quick Reform Of Criminal Justice System

An expert in the judicial system, executive director, Center for Penal and Justice Development (CPJD, Sulayman Kuku-Dawodu has advocated  for the repositioning of the criminal justice system in Nigeria.

Also, this has over time been canvassed by the stakeholders that a state of emergency must be declared on the reform of criminal justice in the country.

Kuku-Dawodu said the historical abandonment of the criminal justice system by successive governments has been shown to be intolerable any longer by the recent spate of protests across the country.

He said that the Executive must lead the process of urgent reforms of the criminal justice system that will demonstrate convincingly to the populace the seriousness of the government to tackle the existing decadence of our criminal justice system.

He said, ‘’Daudu For the sake of clarity, the chain of criminal justice commences from the point of arrest (including investigation), prosecution including adjudication and sentencing, the simple process as it appears, has become a perennial nightmare in the nation`s history.

“There has not been a time that the government has been in charge of this process. The failure has been attributed to lack of adequate; funding, infrastructure, personnel and training.’’

The Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, has called on the quick passage of reform criminal justice system to ensuring the strengthening of the judicial systems in the country.

He however noted that there is an urgent need for the executive to set up an urgent special intervention fund for the necessary reforms in the administration of criminal justice in the country

“The deployment of the special intervention fund should be towards strengthening the institutions responsible for the delivery of the criminal justice in the country; Nigeria Police Force, Law Enforcement Agencies, Department of Public Prosecution, the Judiciary, Nigeria Correctional Service, Legal Aid Council and the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC).

“The specific urgent interventions required in each of these institutions includes but is not exhaustive of the following: –i- Nigeria Police Force: It is pleasing to note that the NPF triggered the citizens reaction to the decadence in our criminal justice system. a-The follow up to the disbandment of SARS, is the de-clogging of the detention facilities of SARS across the country, by transferring the detainees to more suitable correctional facilities.

“The current detention facility in Guzape, Asokoro is inhuman and not fit for abattoir that it was originally built for. ACJMC has commenced discussion with the CJ FCT and CP FCT to kickstart the process of assigning Chief Magistrates/Judges to issue appropriate remand warrants where necessary, and discharging others where no credible evidence exists. The same exercise must be carried out across the country,” he stated.

According to him, the building of modern detention facilities for detainees across all police stations including the present SARS facility in Guzape. The upgrade of all police stations cells is a major intervention that this government could bequeath as a legacy. The present situation where detainees are required to sleep on bare floor, no meals provided, no medical provision must cease immediately.

This is no doubt an exhaustive list but the implementation of some or all the above recommendations will put the present government in a good stead and engender much needed confidence in criminal justice by the citizens. The Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee is committed to ensuring the delivery of these interventions with relevant criminal justice stakeholders.

He further stated that the provision of basic equipment to Police stations across the country including generator sets, internet connectivity, computers (for keeping of records and communication), interview recording machine (audio), radio communication devices, diesel/petrol for patrol vehicles/generator.

Support the establishment of the Central Criminal Record Registry as prescribed by the ACJA and Police Act as a matter of urgency. The absence of this data is tantamount to deliberate frustration of the functionality of the administration of criminal justice in the country.