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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Legal experts have raised concerns over the alleged abuse of remand orders to curtail the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens, calling for stricter adherence to legal safeguards and improved record-keeping to prevent prolonged detention without trial.
The experts spoke during a two-day capacity-building training for registrars and magistrates of the FCT Judiciary, organised by the Restorative Justice for Africa (REJA) initiative in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme of International IDEA, the European Union, Spaces for Change and the Action Group for Free Civic Space in Abuja.
Participants specifically flagged the danger of political actors exploiting remand orders to restrict citizens’ rights, stressing that judicial officers must guard against such abuse by strictly following the legal framework governing remand.
Poor documentation linked to due process failures
In a keynote address titled, “The Critical Role of Court Registrars in Safeguarding Access to Justice,” Professor Bukola Akinola cited law reports of cases involving convicted suspects who later denied wrongdoing after becoming high-profile political office holders.
She attributed some of the gaps to inadequate record-keeping.
Akinola described registrars as central to the remand communication chain, noting that their role places them among key stakeholders responsible for safeguarding the process.
The training, according to the organisers, was designed to strengthen the capacity of judicial officers and registrars to properly manage remand proceedings, identify cases requiring legal aid intervention, maintain accurate case records and improve coordination with justice-sector institutions, including the police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Legal aid referral criteria outlined In a presentation introducing REJA’s Legal Aid Booth, the Managing Partner of Compos Mentis LP, Emokiniovo Dafe-Akpedeye, outlined criteria for early referral of defendants to the booth.
The criteria, he said, include indigency, level of education and the nature of the charge.
He stressed that adequate documentation remained essential to securing access to justice.
Organisers cite impact, pledge continued support
REJA Executive Director, Grace Shobanke, said the initiative was established to address gaps in legal representation, rehabilitation and restorative justice advocacy for indigent Nigerians.
She said REJA had reached more than 14,000 people and represented over 900 indigent inmates across six states, while also building reintegration pathways for formerly incarcerated persons.
Joshua Gbenga Dada, representing the RoLAC Programme of International IDEA, and Testimony Omole of Spaces for Change, pledged continued support for judicial training and justice-sector reforms.
Omole also commended REJA for strengthening civic space.
REJA’s Head of Legal, Chibueze Maduka, said the programme was specifically designed to train court staff on remand procedures, case identification and proper case documentation.
