Abia stakeholders call for reform of state’s criminal justice law administration

Participants of a three-day programme on strengthening access to justice for all in Abia State have called for reforms and the enhanced implementation of the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law, ACJL, 2017, emphasising that it would help protect citizens’ rights.

Most of the participants, who spoke on Saturday in Umuahia during the concluding session of the programme organised by the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, noted that the current criminal justice system in Abia State cannot achieve the desired outcomes if the actions of security agencies, judicial officials, community leaders, and local security personnel continue to infringe on citizens’ rights.

One of the speakers, Chidozie Nwosu, President General of the Ibeku Youths Association, called for stricter scrutiny during recruitment into the Nigerian Police Force.

According to Nwosu, the current system of open recruitment for youths may fail to guard against the enlistment of individuals with criminal tendencies who could exploit recruitment opportunities to join the police.

He expressed concern that employing individuals of questionable character in the armed forces could compromise the safety of those they are meant to protect.

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Addressing allegations by some participants that the plea bargain system in the judiciary has become a loophole for wealthy individuals, the Permanent Secretary of the Abia State Ministry of Justice, Chibuzor Ehiemere, dismissed such claims. Ehiemere clarified that poor offenders in the state are also eligible to apply for and benefit from plea bargains.

Earlier, Faith Nwadishi, the Executive Director of the Centre for Transparency Advocacy, criticised the practice of denying women the right to bail their arrested relatives. She stressed that the centre is extending sensitisation efforts on access to justice to Abia’s rural areas, where human rights abuses are reportedly high.

Nwadishi also called for collaboration among all stakeholders to strengthen access to justice for all residents of Abia State.