From Hauwa'u Mohammed
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state has acknowledged and commended the efforts of a Non-Governmental Organization, Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), in improving the administration of justice in the state.
He gave the commendation at the Nasarawa state Multi-Stakeholders Access to Justice Town hall meeting and Public Presentation of Criminal Justice Rules in Nasarawa state organized by PPDC in Lafia on Thursday.
According to Sule, represented by the state's Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Labaran Magaji, he equally acknowledged the efforts of PPDC in ensuring seamlessness among all the justice sectors in Nasarawa state.
He said the state had witnessed tremendous development through the collaboration between the state government, critical stakeholders in the justice sector, and PPDC, which has also enhanced technological application in the state's justice sector.
"With the exposure of the period of six months of the PPDC project in Nasarawa state, especially targeting the Karu local government axis, we have certainly witnessed more improvement in the delivery of justice in Nasarawa state. We appreciate you for that," he said.
He then assured the PPDC team that his administration is ever ready to give them the platform and enablement to carry out their duties, assignments, and execute their project for the benefit of humanity.
In his address, Justice Sidi Bage (Rtd), Emir of Lafia, also appreciated PPDC for making it very easy for the people of Nasarawa state to have access to justice through Information Communication Technology (ICT).
Bage, who, however, decried the lack of proper management of the court by judges, which he said was the case in the past, added that judges were allowing counsels and others to steal their powers through unnecessary adjournments.
He then urged judges to take advantage of the improved technology now available to fast-track quick dispensation of justice to the people.
Justice Simon Aboki, a judge of the Nasarawa state High Court and Chairman, Project Advisory Committee, Access to Justice, Nasarawa State, applauded the PPDC and said the technology brought to the judicial system is unprecedented as judges can now dispense justice from any part of the world.
In his welcome address, Mr. Jubilee Shittu, Chief Executive Officer, PPDC, represented by Mrs. Ife Olatunji-Davids, Senior Program Manager for Governance of PPDC, said when individuals have access to justice, they can enforce their rights, resolve disputes peacefully, and hold institutions accountable.
He said his organization, in partnership with the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), is committed to addressing the challenges of quick dispensation and administrative justice system in Nigeria.
"These challenges will be addressed through two key projects, which are: Court Administration and Case Management (CACM) and Reforming Pre-Trial Detention in Nigeria (RPDN). PPDC is working to improve access to justice in Nasarawa State," he said.
He then thanked the government and people of Nasarawa State for their hospitality and open arms with which they have not only welcomed these initiatives.
He also thanked the state government for the support they have provided, including committing some of the state’s resources to support the deployment and sustainability of some of these interventions.
"We also thank the state government for ensuring the expansion of the current interventions to some additional locations, including Karu.
"I would like to announce that PPDC has received support from INL to complement the commitments and also to add the creation of an additional secretarial pool in Mararaba, and the expansion of the digital case management system across all superior courts," he added.
He then explained that the CACM project seeks to strengthen court administration and case management practices, leading to more efficient and accountable courts, while the RPDN project focuses on reforming pre-trial detention practices to reduce unnecessary detention and promote the use of non-custodial measures.
"Through open dialogue, collective action, and unwavering commitment, we can create a future where access to justice is a reality for all Nigerians.
"I encourage each of you to actively participate in today's discussions and contribute to building a stronger, more just Nasarawa State and Nigeria as a whole," he said.
He also pointed out that the town hall meeting served as a platform to showcase the CACM scorecards, which highlight the progress made on the CACM project through PPDC's collaboration with the state government.
"It also aims to Introduce the RPDN project and garner stakeholder support for its implementation, among others," he said.
