In furtherance of smooth and seemless administration of criminal justice in Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation, CLEEN FOUNDATION has trained Civil Society Observatory Group members.
The workshop took place on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at G-Pinnacle Suites, Pipeline, Ilorin, Kwara State.
In his opening address, the group’s Executive Director, Gad Peter, maintained that the participants’ responsibilities are not limited to “mere legalities and procedures,” noting that they are also charged with upholding fundamental human rights and due processes in the society.
While commending the participants for their unalloyed dedication to the criminal justice ecosystem, Peter said the training was meant to guide them towards future fairness, transparency and rehabilitation that act as pillars of collective efforts.
He expressed optimism that the step-down mentorship programme would go a long in equipping the actors with cutting-edge knowledge that would help them deliver effectively in their various roles.
The director also remarked that “countless lives” would no doubt benefit from the knowledge acquired from the workshop.
Peter gave assurance that the training would motivate the participants to drive tremendous positive changes in the criminal justice ecosystem.
In the course of the training, the foundation’s programme manager, Chigozirim Okoro, advised the criminal justice actors to shun material or financial inducements.
“To achieve excellent advocacy, you must be an individual who is connected to the government so as to speak and deliver the messages of the voiceless people to the government.”
She furthered that the main objective of the workshop was to ensure outright implementation and compliance with the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act by duty bearers in the state.
Okoro added that the ACJA has already been translated into the Hausa Language in Jigawa, adding that efforts to conclude its translation into the Yoruba Language by the Kwara State Civil Society Observatory Group will be achieved before the end of the year.
