Why We’re Involved In Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau Justice Sector – US

The Director, International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria, Jason Smith, says Washington is strengthening the justice sector in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau States, for a stable and secure Nigeria.

He said a stable Nigeria would contribute to a stable Africa and the world at large.

At a workshop to build the capacity of Court Administration and Case Management Projects for officers from Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau States, an event organised by the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) with support from the US government, Smith said they are working hard to help Nigeria strengthen effective criminal justice institutions and increase access to justice.

Smith said that if the project succeeds in Kaduna, Nasarawa and Plateau States, it will be a model which could be used in other states.

“The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs funds programmes on justice issues such as law enforcement investigations, combatting narcotics and criminal justice.

“We are helping our partners here to have an effective criminal justice system and improve access to justice. Our goal is to help you to deal with the challenges Nigeria faces — domestic, regional and global challenges.
“When we have engaged partners at the local level working on projects, it forms the basis to do more. This is a pilot project. If successful, we hope to expand it to more states,” Smith said.

Also, the PPDC Board chairman, Chibuzor Ekwekwo, who thanked the states for the partnership, added that if Nigeria must get it right, the justice system must work well.

“You are doing very important work, and we are happy that you are partnering with us to carry out this Project. The feedback I get is good. The feedback is not filtered, not controlled,” Ekwekwo said.

Earlier, the PPDC CEO, Jubril Shittu said the project is a watershed aimed at transforming the justice system.

“This has a lot of impact in the judicial system,” Shittu said.

PPDC with the support of the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law
Enforcement Affairs is building the capacity of Court Administration and Case Management Project in Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Plateau States in performance monitoring and evaluation.