Foundation Inaugurates CSO Observatory Group to Oversee Implementation of ACJL in Katsina

Francis Sardauna in Katsina

The CLEEN Foundation has inaugurated an observatory civil society organisation (CSO) group to oversee the effective implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Katsina State.

Inaugurated at the end of a two-day capacity building training for CSOs and criminal justice actors organised by the foundation in the state, the observatory group is to ensure that the ACJL, which was domesticated in the state in 2020, is fully Implemented.

Speaking during the training, the Programme and Research Officer of the Foundation, Mr. Olumayowa Olaniyi, implored the observatory group to embark on citizens’ awareness creation about the law and keep implementers in check.

He urged members to also checkmate abuse of court processes, unprofessional conduct of judges, arbitrary and unlawful arrest and detentions, as well as the increasing numbers of awaiting trail inmates in the state.

He further highlighted vicious circle of impunity, incessant delays in case hearing caused by prolonged adjournments and congestion in correctional centres as some of the impediments that needed to be checkmated by the observatory group.

According to him, “Since 2020, the Administration of Criminal Justice Law was domesticated in Katsina State but the implementation level is very low.

“So, the CSOs observatory group will help mount some levels of pressure and engage in advocacy before decision makers to ensure that ACJL in Katsina is implemented.”

Earlier, the state Coordinator of CLEEN Foundation, Mr. Idris Mohammed, said the foundation was committed to improving the accountability and transparency in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

He added that the CSO observatory team would help in creating more awareness on how to tackle the challenges of social injustice, lack of accountability, corruption and misconduct in the judiciary and other sectors.