By Steve Oko

The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has called for enhanced access to justice for citizens, emphasizing the need for the full implementation of the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2017.

CTA’s Executive Director, Faith Nwadishi, made this appeal during a three-day capacity-building workshop for security personnel and judicial officers in Abia State. The workshop, themed “Strengthening the Rule of Law through Effective Implementation of the Abia State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2017,” was organized in collaboration with the Abia State Ministry of Justice.

Expressing concerns over non-compliance with the provisions of the ACJL 2017 by law enforcement and judicial officers, Nwadishi urged the media to play a pivotal role in educating citizens about their rights and exposing violations.

“Citizens must be aware of their rights as enshrined in the law,” she stated. “Nobody should be tortured to give statements, and statements must not be extracted in the absence of a lawyer. We must address issues like prolonged trials and ensure that suspects are treated humanely.”

Nwadishi emphasized the importance of ensuring justice for all, stating, “In our society today, people are crying for access to justice. It is critical that no one is denied their fundamental rights.”

Ms. Kelechi Oluoha-Steve, a legal practitioner and workshop facilitator, described the ACJL 2017 as a robust legal framework but lamented its poor implementation.

“Stakeholders, including law enforcement and judicial officers, must adhere to the law’s requirements,” Oluoha-Steve said. She stressed the psychological impact of labeling individuals as “suspects” rather than “defendants” and called for a shift in terminology to preserve the dignity of those standing trial.

The facilitator also underscored key provisions of the ACJL, including: Prohibiting the arrest of individuals for crimes allegedly committed by their relatives.

Ensuring children in conflict with the law are not detained with adults.

Informing defendants of their offenses at the point of arrest and notifying their relatives at no cost.

Call for Collaboration and Reform

The Programme and Communication Manager of CTA, Mr. Macdonald Ekemezie, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to guarantee citizens’ access to justice.

Security agencies at the workshop highlighted challenges in implementing the ACJL and emphasized the need for improved commitment from all stakeholders to enhance the criminal justice system.

Participants criticized judicial officers for presiding over cases beyond their court’s jurisdiction and condemned law enforcement agencies for arraigning individuals in such courts to punish them unjustly.

The workshop, supported by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) and funded by the European Union through International IDEA, aimed to address these issues and strengthen the administration of justice in Abia State.

The event concluded with a unanimous call for greater accountability, adherence to the ACJL, and collaboration among stakeholders to ensure a fair and efficient justice system for all citizens.