The Lagos Restorative Justice Centre in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti Corruption Program (RoLAC) on Thursday organized a training program for Lagos Magistrates on Restorative justice at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony, Lagos Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, stressed that Restorative Justice is not alien and has been in existence and practiced 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, ably 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 a great deal of 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.
However, He reiterated the move for justice reforms which initiated the introduction of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, 2021 (as amended). 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 program as this will help them develop new skills and strategies for resolving cases that focus on repairing harm and rehabilitating offenders, leading to a higher satisfaction with the justice system of the State.
The State Program Coordinator of The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) program, Mrs. Ajibola Ijimakinwa in her opening remarks said that ROLAC has partnered with the State’s Ministry of Justice to sensitize stakeholders, judges, magistrates, prosecutors and law enforcement officers on the Administration of Criminal Justice System in the State.
She applauded Lagos State Government for being a pacesetter in the administration of criminal justice system while urging other states in the federation to emulate the giant strides that have been continuously achieved by the State.
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 program and looked forward to more partnership and engagements in the near future.
Facilitators and dignitaries at the training program 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.
