From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN, has applauded the efforts of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16, which aims at “promoting peaceful inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice institutions at all levels”.
Malami spoke on Friday, at the launch of the UNODC Strategic Vision For Nigeria 2030.
He was represented by the Acting Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Benjamin Okolo.
The AGF commended the UNODC on the ongoing areas of collaboration in strengthening and promoting justice and the rule of Law in Nigeria.
The partnership, Malami noted, includes but not limited to the following: “Anti-corruption (Asset Recovery and International Cooperation); Counter-Terrortsm (Complex Case Group); Maritime Crime Group; Transnational organized crime; Deployment of liaison magistrate to Europe to help develop human rights-based response to smuggling of migrants (with support from UNOOC); and Presidential Committee on correctional service reforms and decongestion”.
The AGF said Nigeria also welcomes the thematic five priority areas of the Strategic Vision which has been identified to enhance the criminal justice system with a view to: upholding the rule of law, ensuring access to justice and protecting victims of crime; safeguarding people, institutions and economies from corruption, illicit financial flows and money laundering; securing the safety of people from terrorism and violent extremism; protecting people, the economy and, the environment against organized crime; and promoting people’s health through drug and HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care.
In her own remarks, the Executive Director, UNODC, Ms Ghada Waly, observed that Nigeria faces serious multi-dimensional challenges in security and the rule of law, saying it must be confronted by building on the positive steps that have been taken.
She noted further that the launching was to complement UNODC’s broader vision, describing the strategic vision as a roadmap to a more secure and prosperous Nigeria.
“Last year, UNODC launched the Strategic Vision for Africa 2030, with the principal aim to place people and their needs at the heart of our responses to drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism in the continent,” Waly who was represented by Mr Oliver Stolpe at the high-octane event said.
Earlier in her welcome address, Head, Asset Recovery and Management Unit, FMJ, Ms Ladidi Bara’atu Mohammed said the launch formed an integral part of justice targeted at safeguarding institutions and economy.
In their goodwill messages, the trio of Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices & Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Abdulrasheed Bawa, Chairman Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa )Rtd), Director General National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) described UNODC as key strategic partner in the anti-corruption, terrorism and drug war, pledging their partnership with UNODC in the implementation of its strategic plan for Nigeria and Africa as a whole.