By Evelyn Usman

Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, yesterday, expressed concern over the disregard for Section 9A of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) by law enforcement agencies in the state.

The law explicitly prohibits the media parade of suspects, aiming to protect their rights and prevent undue publicity that may prejudice their cases.

Pedro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN made the assertion while presenting a paper titled ‘ The implementation of the Lagos State administration of criminal justice law: progress, challenges and opportunities for improvement’, at a Stakeholders partnership town hall meeting on promoting human rights, law enforcement accountability and effective criminal justice delivery in Lagos State, organised by the Rule of Law and Accountability and Advocacy Centre , RULAAC with the support of International IDEA, in Akowonjo area of Lagos.

Represented by Inumidun Shonare, he highlighted the need for law enforcement agencies to adhere to the provisions of the ACJL, which according to him, was enacted to ensure fairness, efficiency, and accountability in the criminal justice system.

He informed that the ACJL which was enacted in 2015 and amended in 2021had made significant strides in protecting human rights and promoting police accountability.

But he lamented that “ One of the major challenges facing the Lagos State criminal justice system is the non-compliance with Section 9A by security agencies. The Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) clearly states that no suspect should be paraded in the media. This provision is aimed at protecting the rights of suspects, who may be wrongly accused or later acquitted by the court. The Lagos State government is making efforts to ensure that police officers conduct proper investigations, including video recording of statements by suspects at the station, in the presence of a lawyer.

“The provision of the ACJL concerning the treatment of suspects conforms with international best practices, aimed at reducing allegations of torture or inhuman treatment by police investigators. By upholding this provision, the Lagos State government is demonstrating its commitment to protecting human rights and promoting a fair and just criminal justice system. As the state continues to make progress in this area, it serves as a model for other states to follow in promoting human rights and the rule of law”, he said.

On the opportunity for improvement, he reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rights of all citizens in the state.

Earlier in his welcome remark, Executive Director, RULAAC, Mr Okechukwu Nwagunma , explained that the town hall meeting was part of an ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue and collaboration between civil society organizations, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders, as well as an avenue to reflect on the progress and challenges faced in promoting human rights and accountability within the policing systems.

Represented by Samuel Akpalogun, RULAAC’s executive director further explained that the Lagos State Stakeholders Forum on Police Accountability was established in 2018 under the Nigeria Policing Project ,NPP of the British Council with the aim to create a robust platform for civil society organizations, including the National Human Rights Commission (Southwest), to engage with the police and other criminal justice institutions.

He highlighted the goals of the town hall meeting to include strengthening engagement, building capacity and promoting awareness.

He said , “ We aim to strengthen the dialogue between police accountability units and the community. By sharing insights, experiences, and challenges, we can foster a mutual understanding that leads to more effective policing strategies and enhanced community safety.

“We will discuss initiatives to further build the capacity of police accountability units, ensuring they are equipped to address the concerns of citizens. This involves training, support, and the establishment of clear channels for reporting and addressing grievances related to law enforcement practices.

“It is crucial that citizens are aware of their rights and the mechanisms available to them. Through this Town Hall, we hope to raise awareness about human rights and the importance of accountability within our law enforcement agencies, encouraging an active and informed citizenry”.