As part of measures to deepen justice reform and improve accountability within Nigeria’s criminal justice system, the CLEEN Foundation has commenced a comprehensive five-day capacity-building initiative aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) across 12 states.
The focal states are: Adamawa, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, Ekiti, Lagos, Enugu, Imo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
The integrated programme combines a two-day capacity strengthening workshop for policing, law enforcement, and judicial stakeholders with a three-day training and formal establishment of State ACJL Monitoring Committees (ACJMCs) in the project states.
The initiative seeks to bridge critical gaps in the effective application of the ACJL and enhance the coordination between justice sector actors, including the police, judiciary, and monitoring bodies.
The Cleen Foundation Programme Manager, Chigozirim Okoro, said the training aims to improve technical knowledge, operational competence, and inter-agency collaboration among justice sector players.
According to her, The first phase is focusing on police officers, correctional officers, prosecutors, magistrates, judges, officials from Ministries of Justice, the National Human Rights Commission, Nigeria Bar Association, Legal Aud Council and other relevant law enforcement agencies including ICPC, EFCC, NSCDC, DSS, Customs, FRSC, NIS, and the media.
Okoro said that participants would undergo intensive sessions on rights-based policing, case management, and practical application of ACJL provisions through scenario-based learning and role plays.
She added: “The second phase of the initiative will focus on the capacity building and formal inauguration of State ACJL Monitoring Committees.
“These committees, established under Section 469 of the ACJA and corresponding state laws, play a critical role in monitoring compliance, promoting transparency, and ensuring that justice delivery aligns with the principles of fairness and efficiency.”
Representatives from the Legal Aid Council, NHRC, NBA, FIDA, civil society, the media, and other justice sector institutions will be trained on advocacy, coalition building, data collection, monitoring techniques, and committee governance.
Despite the domestication of the ACJA in the 12 implementing states, the Foundation noted that many State Monitoring Committees remained inactive or underfunded, undermining the goals of the law.
The project, therefore, seeks to ensure that ACJMCs are properly constituted, adequately resourced, and fully functional.
“Effective administration of criminal justice requires both knowledge and accountability mechanisms. Strengthening the capacity of actors and institutionalizing monitoring are essential steps toward achieving justice reform,” she stated.
Okoro said the five-day activity would be conducted sequentially across the 12 target states within a three-week period.
She also said that the Foundation would work closely with state justice sector stakeholders to ensure full participation and sustainability of outcomes.