FG Lauds EU, UNODC, as Support for Justice Sector in Nigeria Project Ends

By Bennett Oghifo

The Federal Government has lauded the European Union (EU) for financing the Support for Justice Sector in Nigeria Project that was implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to strengthen the nation’s justice administration.

The Minister for Budget and Planning, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, whose office worked closely with the development partners, said the project, which would end in a week from now after over four years of implementation, was beneficial to the country.

The minister stated this at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, during the week, to wrap up the Support to the Justice Sector in Nigeria project of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) that was funded by the European Union (EU).

The minister, represented by a director, said, “We thank the UNODC, the stakeholders in this project, particularly to the European Union, to build our capacity to reform the justice sector. We all know that the justice sector is a symbol of civilization.”

He said the support given to Nigeria in the justice sector was well appreciated, stating that “the UNODC has been very supportive to us in so many areas; in the area of drugs, crime, the justice sector and so many others.”

He said the cooperation had improved considerably since Ms. Cristina Albertin took over as the UNODC Representative in Nigeria. “We have seen a new lease of life since she came. We started this project creeping but since she came we have seen a great leap forward.

“As we wind down this project, we are winding up others. We have signed more than 15 partnership agreements with the European Union.

According to Ms. Cristina Albertin, UNODC Representative in Nigeria, the Support for Justice Sector in Nigeria Project built lasting partnership among federal, state actors in justice administration.

“One feature which in my view has made the project so remarkable and unique and that is that it built a lasting platform for partnership among a wide range of federal and state actors in justice administration including network mechanisms with the aim to enlist holistic and comprehensive support across Nigerian justice institutions at federal and state level for fair, accessible and faster delivery of justice for all.

“In my view, this approach and resulting collaborative work cannot be anything less than a guarantee for continuity and sustainability in justice reform while the project formally ends.” Albertin assured the government of “UNODCs commitment to justice reform in Nigeria continues beyond project end as we know and recognise justice reform as a critical foundation to ensure the respect for human rights for each and every Nigerian, including the principle of equality before the law and the right to due process and fair trials.

“In the 18 months that I have been in the country, I was able to witness in several occasions the tremendous interest, commitment and hard work that each and every partner and stakeholder has invested in this collective journey towards justice reform and justice for all.”

According to her, the stakeholders’ meeting held “to mark the formal end of a very important partnership project between the Government of Nigeria, the EU and UNODC, the – Support to Justice Project’.

“After more than four years of implementation, in one week the project will come to an end and before that we would like to share and celebrate the results and achievements in justice reform in Nigeria with all of you who have been part of the journey under the project. Much can and will be said about this project and the journey to fair and accountable justice systems in Nigeria.”

She lauded all stakeholders, saying “Without any doubt, fair, humane, accountable and transparent justice systems are key to any society and the aim and desire of each and every citizen in any part of the world. We all can relate to what justice means for ourselves and for others and its critical role to sustainable peace and development.

“Good Governance can only happen when it is grounded in accountable and fair justice systems. Public officials, be it Legislators, Governments or the judiciary will be judged by the citizens for their commitment to fair and effective justice delivery to each and everyone.

“You all remember that it is only two years ago that the importance of good justice systems was recognized as one of the 16 Sustainable Development Goals focusing on the rule-of-law, justice and strong institutions, a stark reminder of the urgent need worldwide to improve on justice delivery and the rule-of-law to be able to attain sustainable development. I believe that during the last years, Nigeria has made good progress towards this goal.

“The entry into force of the ACJA Act in 2015 which formulation and development was accompanied and supported by the project has been a major breakthrough in Nigeria towards fair and speedy justice which allows now justice officials not only to expedite justice and overcome the appalling situation of 75 per cent of remand prisoners, but also to prevent similar situations in the future applying for example alternative methods to imprisonment when warranted.

“While the ACJA can be seen as a breakthrough and bedrock for justice reform in the country, a series of critical inter-connected initiatives have been advanced in the last years under our joint partnership projects including the preparation of a national justice policy (National Justice Summit), the setup of a network of justice reform committees across Nigeria, the approval of sentencing guidelines at state levels, the preparation of training manuals and roll-out of training, in human rights for police officer and prison officials and on prison management for prison officials, preparation of manuals and guidelines such as for courts, assessment reports, such as on children in conflict, the establishment of JRCs, the adoption of Legal Aid Strategy and a guidance manual for legal services in Nigeria and so much more. With these much needed policy, legal and operational instruments and tools, justice practitioners are now equipped to deliver justice more effectively and efficiently, including to the vulnerable and poor without leaving anybody behind.

“On behalf of UNODC, I wish to congratulate Nigeria, the Government, legislative and Judiciary for their persistence in pursuing justice reform in Nigeria as well as the civil societies organisations and private persons, who often have been at the forefront of driving, initiating, advocating and implementing required reforms and services.”

UNODC, she said, “Has been a partner in these efforts allover the last years, if not decades. We will continue to do so in the future supporting Nigeria and its justice systems in translating our foundational mandate in criminal justice and prevention of crime into practice and action for the benefit and well-being of all Nigerians.

“UNODC’s other mandates and programmes relating to countering organized crime, terrorism and corruption have never been more relevant today worldwide and also in Nigeria.

“I am deeply convinced that our work in these areas will and can only be successful when our related efforts continue and are grounded in efficient and effective justice systems committed to and equipped on a daily basis to deliver speedily justice in respect of human rights and the rule-of-law for each and every Nigerian.”

The Head, Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria, Mr. Kurt Cornelis said, “The five-year project which began in 2012 was formulated around the overall objective of improving the effectiveness, accessibility, accountability, transparency and fairness of the justice system.

“In doing this, the project has collaborated with the Nigerian Justice sector institutions in enhancing coordination and cooperation with a view to building consensus and working together to develop, implement and monitor more effective justice sector policies and plans which are mutually supportive, and address common problems across the sector. Ultimately this project aimed to support the process of creating a formal justice sector that can actually function as such.”

Cornelis said “The strategic approach adopted for the project is two-fold: Firstly to increase the capacity of various stakeholders in the sector to perform core institutional mandates; Secondly, to develop and implement a number of interventions to improve service delivery and operational effectiveness, and address key problems and challenges in the operations of police, prison and courts.

“The formulation of the project was undertaken in partnership with the Nigerian Government and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) who also served as the implementing partner for the project.

“A host of achievements have been recorded within the implementation period of the project; please permit me to highlight a few. First is the development and adoption of a National Justice Policy which seeks to provide strategic direction for Nigeria’s justice sector reform. Closely linked to this, is the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act which provides a holistic approach to the reform of criminal justice sector. Secondly, the project supported the establishment of judicial research centres in selected states, including the FCT. This research centres would contribute to a body of existing research and facilitate the work of our colleagues in the judiciary.

“Several trainings, workshops and strategic interventions were undertaken by the project both at Federal and state levels, with justice reform teams and state action plans also supported in five selected states. We believe that the project has effectively contributed to government’s efforts in reforming the justice sector and it is our sincere hope that the gains currently achieved will be further enhanced.”

He took the opportunity “to inform all stakeholders of the start of our successor project, the support to rule of law and anti-corruption in Nigeria project (RoLAC). The overall objective of the project is to enhance good governance in Nigeria by contributing to strengthening the rule of law and curbing corruption.

“The main expected outcomes are to: a) advance the timely, effective and transparent dispensation of criminal justice: b) strengthen access to justice for women, children and persons with disabilities at Federal and State levels; c) strengthen the fight

against corruption by reinforcing prevention mechanisms and building the capacity of anti-corruption agencies to effectively address corruption in public procurement, the criminal justice system and the extractive sector; and d) to enhance civil society and public engagement in the fight against corruption and the criminal justice reform process.”