Pulse.ng : NGO advocates robust implementation of criminal justice

By Abbas Bamalli

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), under MacArthur project, CLEEN foundation, has advocated a robust implementation of criminal justice regime in the country.

The Executive Director of the foundation, Mr Gad Peter, said this during a one-day stakeholders dialogue held on Thursday in Katsina.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dialogue was on gender, accountability and transparency on administration of criminal justice regime implementation.

“We gather here with a shared commitment to advancing justice, equality, and integrity within our criminal justice systems.

“The administration of criminal justice is a cornerstone of any society, providing the framework for the rule of law, protection of rights, and upholding of public trust.

“However, this framework must be continually assessed and reformed to ensure it serves all community members equitably.

“This dialogue focuses on three fundamental pillars: gender, accountability, and transparency.

“Gender equality in criminal justice is not just a matter of fairness but also essential for the credibility and effectiveness of the system”, he said.

Peter said women and individuals from marginalised genders often face unique challenges and biases in the criminal justice process.

According to the executive director, addressing these issues is not only the right thing to do, but critical to achieving a truly just system.

“Accountability within the criminal justice system ensures that those who enforce the law are held to the highest standards.

“It fosters a culture of integrity and trust, both among the practitioners and the public they serve.

“Without robust mechanisms for accountability, injustices go unchecked, eroding public confidence and undermining the rule of law.

“Transparency is the bedrock of democratic governance and justice. When the processes and decisions of criminal justice are transparent, they invite scrutiny, encourage fairness, and deter misconduct’’, he said.

According to him, transparency ensures that justice is not only done, but is seen to be done, maintaining the public’s trust in our legal institutions.

He said it was through these discussions that they could identify gaps, share best practices and formulate actionable strategies to enhance gender fairness, enforce accountability and ensure transparency in the criminal justice systems.

Chigozirim Okoro, Programme Manager, CLEEN Foundation, said the dialogue aimed to improve the compliance level of the provision of criminal justice law as it relates to gender provisions, accountability and transparency.

NAN reports that participants at the meeting were drawn from the police, other security agencies, judiciary, human rights organisation among others.

NAN