Thu. Oct 9th, 2025

•.Launches Capacity Building and Establishes Monitoring Committees for ACJL Implementation across 12 focal states

Jude Johnson

To deepen justice reform and improve accountability within Nigeria’s criminal justice system, the CLEEN Foundation has commenced a comprehensive five-day capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) across 12 states – Adamawa, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Ekiti, Lagos, Enugu, Imo, Akwaibom & Crossriver

 

The integrated programme combines a 2-day capacity strengthening workshop for policing, law enforcement, and judicial stakeholders with a 3-day training and formal establishment of State ACJL Monitoring Committees (ACJMCs) in the project states.

 

The project, which is supported by the Norwegian Embassy seeks to bridge critical gaps in the effective application of the ACJL and enhance the coordination between justice sector actors, including the police, judiciary, and monitoring bodies.

 

According to the Foundation’s Programme Manager, Chigozirim Okoro, the training aims to improve technical knowledge, operational competence, and inter-agency collaboration among justice sector players.

 

To her, the first phase is focusing on police officers, correctional officers, prosecutors, magistrates, judges, officials from Ministries of Justice, the National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Bar Association, Legal Aud Council and other relevant law enforcement agencies including ICPC, EFCC, NSCDC, DSS, Customs, FRSC, NIS, and the media.

 

She added that, participants would undergo intensive sessions on rights-based policing, case management, and practical application of ACJL provisions through scenario-based learning and role plays.

 

“The second phase of the initiative will focus on the capacity building and formal inauguration of State ACJL Monitoring Committees.

 

“These committees, established under Section 469 of the ACJA and corresponding state laws, play a critical role in monitoring compliance, promoting transparency, and ensuring that justice delivery aligns with the principles of fairness and efficiency,” she added.

 

Representatives from the Legal Aid Council, NHRC, NBA, FIDA, civil society, the media, and other justice sector institutions will be trained on advocacy, coalition building, data collection, monitoring techniques, and committee governance.

 

Despite the domestication of the ACJA in the 12 implementing states, the Foundation noted that many State Monitoring Committees remain inactive or underfunded, undermining the goals of the law.

 

The project, therefore, seeks to ensure that ACJMCs are properly constituted, adequately resourced, and fully functional.

 

“Effective administration of criminal justice requires both knowledge and accountability mechanisms. Strengthening the capacity of actors and institutionalizing monitoring are essential steps toward achieving justice reform,” the Foundation stated.

 

So, the five-day activity would be conducted sequentially across the 12 target states within a three-week period.

 

CLEEN Foundation would work closely with state justice sector stakeholders to ensure full participation and sustainability of outcomes.

 

At the end of the intervention, law enforcement and judicial stakeholders are expected to demonstrate improved understanding of ACJL provisions and procedures, while formally inaugurated ACJL Monitoring Committees will begin coordinated tracking of implementation efforts.

This initiative, the Foundation noted, underscored its commitment to enhancing transparency, accountability, and public trust in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

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