By Abubakar Ahmed
The Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) on Tuesday organized a one-day capacity-building workshop on the National Minimum Standards (NMS) for effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) and Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Bauchi.
The workshop, held at the Destination Bauchi Hotel, brought together stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice to educate them on the NMS and identify gaps hindering effective implementation at the state level.
In his welcome address, Prof. Yemi-Akinseye George, SAN, President of CSLS, represented by Sharon Jibaniya, a lawyer and researcher at the Centre, emphasized the importance of using the NMS as a baseline for measuring performance across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Jibaniya “The essence of this programme is to facilitate the implementation of the ACJA and ACJL across the Federation.” She further clarified that “The NMS serves as a scorecard for each state, and there is a certain irreducible minimum that shouldn’t be below. For instance, electronic recording of proceedings and ensuring custodial facilities don’t house a substantial number of inmates awaiting trial.”
Chief Magistrate Safiya Musa, a participant at the workshop, expressed optimism that full implementation of the NMS would guarantee effective and speedy dispensation of justice. “Bauchi’s ranking of 28th out of 36, according to CSLS findings, serves as a wake-up call for all stakeholders in the criminal justice system to bridge the gaps and get to at least the minimum 50% threshold,” she said.
ASC Ahmed Usman Tata, CPRO of the Bauchi State Command of the Nigerian Correctional Service, noted that effective implementation of the NMS would help decongest correctional facilities. “Currently, over 900 inmates are housed in our facilities, with over 600 awaiting trial,” he said. “If we achieve the minimum threshold, it will address some of our concerns.”
The workshop drew participants from various agencies, including the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, the Judiciary, the Nigerian Bar Association, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Legal Aid Council, and the Bauchi Ministry of Justice.
By providing a platform for stakeholders to acquaint themselves with the provisions of the NMS as contained therein, discuss challenges and identify solutions, the workshop marked a significant step towards improving the administration of justice in Bauchi State.