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From Sola Ojo, Abuja
The CLEEN Foundation has commenced a five-day capacity-building programme in Kaduna State aimed at strengthening the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) and advancing the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda in Nigeria.
Speaking during the opening session in Kaduna, the Programme Manager of CLEEN Foundation, Mrs. Chigozirim Okoro, said the training was a part of a national project designed to close identified gaps in the enforcement of the ACJ Law across 12 implementing states, including Kaduna.
She explained that although the ACJ Law sets a high standard for policing, prosecution, and judicial processes, its full implementation has remained a challenge due to capacity gaps, institutional weaknesses, and poor coordination among justice sector actors.
“Our baseline study across the 12 states showed that there are still major capacity gaps among criminal justice actors.
“For instance, some stakeholders are meeting one another for the first time and even learning basic professional procedures they should already know,” Okoro said.
According to her, the initiative combines a two-day capacity strengthening workshop for policing, law enforcement, and judicial stakeholders with a three-day capacity-building programme focused on the formal establishment of State ACJL Monitoring Committees (ACJMCs).
While all 12 pilot states have domesticated the ACJA into their respective ACJLs, Okoro noted that the effectiveness of implementation has been hindered by weak or non-functional monitoring committees.
Given their statutory role under Section 469 of the ACJA, she said the absence or poor performance of these committees undermines justice delivery and accountability. “This intervention seeks to address capacity gaps, institutional weaknesses, and coordination challenges among justice sector actors,” she explained.
The training brought together 30 key professionals drawn from the Office of the Attorney General, Ministry of Justice, Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Nigeria Police Force, Legal Aid Council, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), and other critical justice institutions.
Also in attendance were representatives of informal policing groups and the Honourable Justice in Charge of the State’s Multidoor CourtHouse, while top government officials such as the Attorney General, Commissioner of Police, and Chief Judge are expected to join the engagement later in the week.
Okoro explained that the objectives of the project are to enhance stakeholders’ understanding and application of ACJL provisions, build monitoring and evaluation skills for ACJL compliance, formally constitute and operationalize State ACJL Monitoring Committees, and strengthen inter-agency collaboration within the justice system.
“We are working to identify those supporting and those opposing reforms, and to design strategies to bring everyone on board. Collectively, we can achieve this mandate,” she stated.
At the end of the programme, participants are expected to produce both an operational plan and a resource framework, covering human and financial requirements to guide future implementation and advocacy efforts.
“Once we have a clear action and operational plan, we can begin mobilising resources and partners to ensure full compliance with the ACJL in Kaduna State,” Okoro added.
CLEEN Foundation, a leading civil society organisation promoting public safety, security, and access to justice, is implementing the project as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen rule of law, enhance accountability, and promote gender-responsive governance in Nigeria.
