By Taiye Agbaje & Ebere Agozie
THE FEDERAL government and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have partnered to train facilitators on implementation of restorative justice in conflict resolution.
Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, the Director, Administration of Criminal Justice and Reform Department in the Federal Ministry of Justice, said the training was part of the efforts at improving the Nigeria’s justice system.
Ayoola-Daniels spoke on Wednesday at a two-day capacity building workshop for facilitators on the implementation of restorative justice in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
She reiterated government’s commitment to a justice system that goes beyond punishment to embrace healing, reparation and the reintegration of offenders into the society.
She stressed the need to fully integrate restorative justice into the justice system.
The director said the system would foster accountability and create a more just, peaceful, and inclusive society by placing the needs of victims, offenders and the community at the centre of the process.
According to her, the consistent support, technical expertise and commitment of the the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have been invaluable in advancing restorative justice in Nigeria.
The workshop, she said, provided the opportunity to transform the justice delivery system by ensuring that restorative justice is effectively implemented in the FCT, thereby serving the best interests of all stakeholders.
She also said that the workshop represented a pivotal step in the ongoing efforts to reform the justice system and create a framework that promotes rehabilitation, accountability and healing.
The National Project Officer of the UNODC, Melissa Omene, expressed worry over the increasing number of inmates at correctional centres across the country.
“Today, there are 84,767 inmates in custodial centres around Nigeria, including 68% inmates who are awaiting trial.
“These figures represent people – mothers (including nursing mothers), fathers, daughters, sons, members of the community – many of which have committed minor offences.
“The figures also force us to think about the victims, people who have to live with the harm caused by offenders, irrespective of whether an offender is convicted or not,” she said.
Omene called for concerted efforts by stakeholders to reform the criminal justice system in Nigeria.
She said the UNODC would continue its collaboration with the ministry in improving restorative justice system in the country.
The Etsu of Kwali, HRH Luka Ayedoo, made a case for the inclusion of traditional rulers in the restorative justice system in the country.
According to him, traditional rulers have many traditional principles which are not spelt out in law but helps in resolving disputes in the community.
The Etsu of Kwali said the traditional rulers should be trained on how to carry out their responsibilities, in dispensing justice and referring of cases to conventional courts. (NAN)
