NBA calls for improved public defence and security in Nigeria

NBA calls for improved public defence and security in Nigeria
Chukwumerije Aja, Abuja.

The Nigerian Bar Association has called on the Nigerian government and institutions at all levels to make Criminal Justice Delivery central to the defence of public safety and security in Nigeria.

The call was made at a three-day stake-holders Conference of the association on Criminal Justice Reform, held from July 17 to 20 in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.

The conference, first of its kind, had as its theme: Transforming the Criminal Justice System in Nigeria - A Reform Agenda.

The conference brought together, Criminal Justice practitioners, experts and academics from within and outside Nigeria, as well as operators of the various institutions of Criminal Justice both at State and Federal levels including policy makers and legislators to deliberate on the problems afflicting the administration of criminal justice in the country.

Objectives

It also had as its objective to serve as a catalyst in the transformation of the systems and institutions for guaranteeing public safety and security.

However, other objectives include; identifying existing problems and articulate on-going or planned initiatives towards addressing them; identifying gaps in approaches to criminal justice administration, and proffer workable, realistic and cost effective solutions, setting the agenda for reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, forging the partnerships required to ensure the realisation of the agreed programme.

Resolutions

The conference after fruitful deliberations resolved that the National Assembly should, as a matter extreme urgency, pass the following key justice sector bills without further delay.

• Administration of Justice Commission Bill
• The Police Act Amendment Bill
• The Community Service Bill
• The Victims of Crime Remedies Bill
• The Prisons Act Amendment Bill and
• The Elimination of Violence in Society Bill.
• Evidence Bill

The association also resolved that the Prison Decongestion Scheme, as presently conceptualized should be be suspended forthwith and stakeholders invited within six weeks to fashion out an acceptable formula for the achievement of prison decongestion, which measures would include the use of such funds for the construction of new correctional institutions and detention centres among others.

For details of the resolution click here. >>>

The NBA greatly acknowledged and expressed its gratitude to the resource persons, conferees, the media and other stakeholders for their genuine commitment towards the successful outcome of the conference.

The Conference was declared open by the Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, Executive Governor of Rivers State after the welcome addresses of both the Chairman of the Criminal Justice Reform Conference Committee; A.B. Mahmoud SAN, OON and the NBA President J.B. Daudu, Esq. SAN. The keynote Address was delivered by Prof. Bryan Stevenson; Director, Equal Justice Initiative, Montgomery, Alabama, Georgia and of the New York University, USA.

Goodwill messages and remarks were received from the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, SAN and the President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA); Mrs. Boma Ozobia 

In attendance at the Conference were representatives of the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government, lawyers, academics, researchers, administrators, law reform commissioners, prison and police officers, prosecutors, bar leaders and other stakeholders in the justice sector.

Iheanacho