By Esther Onyegbula

The CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organization, has called for the immediate formulation of a gender accountability roadmap to address systemic challenges in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

According to the CLEEN Foundation, these challenges include inadequate awareness of laws, lack of training, and insufficient collaboration among stakeholders.

This appeal was made during the Foundation’s recent policy dialogue on gender accountability and transparency in the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), held in Lagos.

Emphasising the urgency of a gender-responsive approach to criminal justice, CLEEN Foundation’s Director of Programmes, Salaudeen Hashim, said: “Gender equality in criminal justice is not just a matter of fairness but essential for the credibility and effectiveness of the system.”

Hashim also highlighted the need for a gender-responsive budget and the resolution of conflicts between existing laws, such as the Penal Code and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Act, particularly around the definition of rape and consent.

Outlining critical issues and recommendations at the policy dialogue, Hashim noted: “Legal ambiguities, like the conflicts between the Penal Code, which permits consent at 15 years, and the VAPP Act, which considers it rape, require urgent resolution.”

He further explained the need to address judicial delays: “Bail conditions should be limited to three months, and sections of laws that are ambiguous, such as spousal battery under Section 20 of ACJA, should be clarified or reviewed.”

Hashim called for specialized courts for minor victims of gender-based violence, increased awareness about emotional abuse, and stricter penalties for publishing survivor identities.

Lamenting the inconsistencies in legal frameworks, Hashim said: “Customary laws in the Northwest and Northcentral regions often conflict with statutory laws, leading to inconsistencies in addressing gender-sensitive cases.”

Noting specific challenges in the Northwest (Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto) and Northcentral (Kwara, Bauchi) regions, Hashim pointed out that there is limited support for GBV survivors, with most cases underreported due to societal stigma and cultural pressures.

Similarly, calling for structural changes in the criminal justice system, the Head of Lagos, CLEEN Foundation, Blessing Abiri, emphasized the urgent need for technological integration. “Digitizing court processes to enhance data management and tracking of cases is critical. Strengthening campaigns on criminal justice processes will empower citizens, while engaging law enforcement and judicial officers on gender accountability training is equally essential,” Abiri stated.

Abiri also noted the importance of infrastructure improvements, such as addressing overcrowded correctional facilities and providing separate juvenile facilities for male and female offenders, as crucial steps toward achieving the necessary changes.

To achieve lasting reforms, the CLEEN Foundation emphasized the need for collaborative dialogue among stakeholders, including law enforcement, judicial officers, and civil society organizations. The Foundation also urged the fast-tracking of the Gender and Equal Opportunity Bill and its implementation.

“Transparency is the bedrock of democratic governance and justice,” Hashim concluded. “Strengthening the criminal justice system through gender accountability will not only ensure fairness but also promote peace and development.”

The CLEEN Foundation’s recommendations signal a significant step toward achieving a more equitable and efficient justice system in Nigeria, with a focus on gender-responsive policies and practices.