Lagos State Ministry of Justice

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Restorative Justice Center

PRESS RELEASE: LAGOS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTRE ORGANIZES SENSITIZATION PROGRAM ON VICTIM/OFFENDER MEDIATION

The Lagos Restorative Justice Centre domiciled in the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, on Wednesday, at the Magistrate Court, Samuel Ilori Court House, Ogba, Lagos, organized a sensitization program on victim/offender Mediation (VOM). The VOM provides interested victims an opportunity to meet their offender, in a safe and structured setting. Delivering the keynote address,the Chief Judge of Lagos State who also serves as the Chairman of Criminal Justice Sector Reform Committee (CJSRC), Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba noted that the restorative system of justice is not alien but has been in existence for over three decades and in practice in other countries, hence the adoption by the State Justice System to ensure peaceful resolution of disputes. Justice Alogba ably represented by Hon. Justice Nicole Clay stated that the traditional justice system has suffered a great deal of setbacks with evident increase in the rate of crime, long prosecution process and overcrowding of correctional facilities amongst others. Whilst commending the RJ Team on a job well done, the Chief Judge also expressed his gratitude towards participants and wished everyone a fruitful deliberation. The Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey  in her address stated that Restorative Justice is a form of alternative dispute resolution, deployed as a tool for decongesting less serious cases in the dockets of the court system and invariably the overcrowded correctional centres”. “In restorative justice, its processes are mindful with just one goal which is Justice and Healing for offender, victim and society”. Ms. Titilayo Shitta-bey further stated that the establishment of the Lagos State Restorative Justice Centre is simply to raise awareness and build support for the restorative justice program as well as collaborating with relevant stakeholders in implementing this model of Justice. The Director, Community Service, Lagos Ministry of Justice,Mrs. Tomi Bodude stressed that community service is another important component of restorative justice used as a means of repairing damage to the community. “Court-ordered community service requires an offender to perform a specific number of hours of free work for a charitable agency, nonprofit organization, or governmental agency, and it can be ordered as a condition of probation or as an alternative to incarceration. Generally, a nonviolent offender is assigned to community service, and careful screening must occur to ensure that the offender is appropriate for the site and vice versa while ensuring public safety”. Mrs. Tomi Bolude further noted that the benefits of community service are very similar to those of restitution which can help to change an offenders’ values. Speaking during the sensitization campaign, the Coordinator,Restorative Justice Centre,Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi, stated that the concept of RJ is the practical application of some of the components of ADR to criminal matters and causes. The Coordinator further explained that during the Victim Offender  Mediation(VOM), the victim and offender are brought together to repair the harm while the offender is reintegrated back to the society  to achieve a sense of healing for both parties. Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi however reiterated the State Government’s resolve to ensure an effective dispensation of justice whereby people can walk into the centre to make enquiries as well as file complaints. It should be recalled that the Lagos State Restorative Justice Centre began a 3day sensitization campaign on Tuesday, 13th of June at the Girls Correctional Home, Idi-araba and a Walk for Restorative Justice from Akilo Street, Ogba, to Samuel Ilori Court House where the legal clinic was organized. The sensitization program was finalized on Thursday, 15th of June with a visit to the Maximum, Medium and Female Correctional Centres, Kirikiri, Lagos.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE WEEK 2022.LAGOS SENSITIZES CORRECTIONAL CENTRE FOR BOYS ON VICTIM OFFENDER MEDIATION

As part of efforts to promote peaceful communities ,transforming the Criminal justice system and prevent re-offending,the Lagos State Restorative Justice Center  on Thursday expanded its sensitization campaign to the Lagos Correctional Centre for Boys ,Oregun,Lagos in Commemoration of the Lagos Restorative  Justice  week 2022. Speaking during visit,the  Coordinator, RJC, Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi, stated that the establishment of the restorative justice centre is to serve as an alternative dispute resolution and as a tool for decongesting the less serious case in the court system. “Restorative justice is a form of alternative dispute resolution and we are determined to deploy it as a tool for decongesting as many of the less serious cases in the dockets of the court system and invariably the overcrowded correctional centres”. The Coordinator further stated that during the Victim Offender  mediation(VOM),the victim and offender are brought together to repair the harm while the offender is reintegrated back to the society  to achieve a sense of healing for both parties . “Restorative Justice  seeks to provide opportunities for victims, offenders, and communities affected by a crime to communicate (directly or indirectly) about the causes, circumstances, and impact of that crime, and to address their related needs.” Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi hereby reiterated the State Government’s resolve to ensure an effective dispensation of justice whereby people can walk into the centre to make enquiries as well as file complaints She added that the Centre is equipped with excellent and exceptional facilitators to ensure transparency and due process in accordance with the Criminal Justice system of the State The Coordinator and Principal of the Special Correctional Home for Boys, Mr. Iyapo, expressed his profound and heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the correctional facility to the State Government, Ministry of Justice and the RJ Steering Committee who have spared time out of their busy schedule to enlighten the boys on the benefits of  restorative justice, its importance and workability.He however assured the committee members of the commitment of the school in further educating the boys and parents alike. Other Attendees includes members of the Restorative Justice Steering Committee- Director CMC, Mrs. Abiola Oseni, State Counsel, Mrs.Soewu and lawyers. The Year 2022 Rjc week is themed “Self Accountability:Aligning your actions with your values. It should be recalled that the Restorative justice week is held every November to create awareness about the benefits of RJ for the victim,offender,communities and stakeholders.

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