On Thursday, the 8th and 9th of October 2020, FIDA Lagos kicked off FIDA Nigeria project sponsored by the MacArthur Foundation, involving a formation of network of stakeholders towards the effective implementation of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State 2015.

The project, which is scheduled to be in four phases, commenced with the meeting of members of the Bar, comprising the NBA branches in Lagos (Lagos Island, Ikorodu and Ikeja ), Ministry of Justice, Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Legal Aid Council as part of the stakeholders’ meeting.

The highlights of the insightful meeting, ably facilitated by Chief Magistrate Kikelomo Ayeye include a general overview of the ACJL 2015, identification of the roles of the Bar, the lacuna in the law, possible amendments to the law, evaluation of the actual implementation of the law, evaluation of the relevant criminal justice institutions and the attitude of the Bar to the legal system.

The second phase of the stakeholders’ meeting held on the 9th of October 2020 involved only members of the Bench at the criminal division in Lagos State. The meeting was facilitated by Mr. Bayo Akinlade, former NBA chairman of Ikorodu Branch. It was an interactive session among the members of the Bench highlighting the challenges of the judiciary in implementation of the ACJL 2015 of Lagos State.

The ebullient chairperson of FIDA Lagos, Mrs. Phil Nneji, FICMC, the host of the meeting, whilst appreciating the participants in both sessions, reiterated that FIDA is committed to ensuring enhanced access to justice for all, particularly women and children, and the effective implementation of the ACJL Lagos State is germane to achieving this.

The third and fourth phase of the project, scheduled for 14th October 2020 will involve the police and the correctional Services officers, and 16th October 2020 would involve collective meeting with all stakeholders involved in phase one, two and three.

Signed:

Mrs. Abimbola Jack Oladugba, PRO FIDA Lagos.