The Lagos Restorative Justice Centre, in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti Corruption Program (RoLAC), on Thursday, organised a training programme for Lagos Magistrates on Restorative justice at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, stressed that Restorative Justice is not alien and has been in existence and practised for over three decades in other countries, hence the need for it to be adopted into the Nigeria Justice System to ensure the peaceful resolution of criminal cases.
The AG, represented by the Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Lagos Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-bey Jeje, noted that RJ is an approach to justice that aims to get offenders to take responsibility for their actions, to understand the harm they have caused to the victim, and also to allow the offenders to redeem themselves.
“The conventional criminal justice response of ‘punishment’ has suffered many setbacks such as recidivism, increase in the rate of crime, long prosecution process, overcrowding of correctional facilities, and overloading of court dockets amongst others”, he said.
While reiterating that the need for justice reforms necessitated the introduction of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2021 (as amended), Pedro revealed that the ACJL has provisions that aim at protecting both the victim, the offender, and the society, also known as Restorative Justice.
The Attorney-General further explained that the purpose of the Law is to ensure that the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria promotes efficient management of criminal justice institutions, protection of the society from crime, protection of the rights and interests of the suspect, the defendant, and the victim while ensuring a speedy dispensation of justice in the State.
Pedro, therefore, urged Magistrates to take full advantage of the training programme as this will help them develop new skills and strategies for resolving cases that focus on repairing harm and rehabilitating offenders, leading to higher satisfaction with the justice system of the State.
The State Coordinator of The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa in her opening remarks said that ROLAC has partnered with the State’s Ministry of Justice to sensitise stakeholders, judges, magistrates, prosecutors and law enforcement officers on the Administration of Criminal Justice System in the State.
She applauded the Lagos State Government for being a pacesetter in the administration of the criminal justice system while urging other states in the federation to emulate the giant strides that the State has continuously achieved.
Giving the vote of thanks, Mrs. Anifat Onafowokan expressed gratitude to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, RoLAC, facilitators and other participants for the success of the training. She added that she looked forward to more partnerships and engagements in the near future.
Facilitators and dignitaries at the training programme include the DPP, Lagos, Dr. Babajide Martins; The Coordinator of Lagos Restorative Justice Centre, Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi; Chairman, Lagos State RJC Steering Committee, Dr. Akeem Bello; Managing Consultant, Atticus Allen Consulting, Mrs. Adeyinka Aroyewun and the Acting Director of the Lagos MultiDoor CourtHouse, Mrs. Achere Cole amongst others
