Anambra State reviewed its Administration of Criminal Justice (2010) in 2022 to inject innovations into the document. The new seeks to promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, protection of the society from crimes and protection of the rights and interest of the suspect, the defendant and victims in Nigeria.
As lofty as its objectives are, ACJL 2022 of Anambra State remains a privileged document with its contents best described as exclusive as a privilege of a few actors in the justice sector. The situation, majorly blamed on poor or low awareness of the law among the citizenry, was concerning to the Justice Development and Peace/Caritas (JDPC) Onitsha, hence the move to reverse the ugly trend.
One of the sensitization campaign programmes at Eke Market Ekwulobia
Consequently, the organization secured support from the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) programme implemented in Nigeria by The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), an intergovernmental organization that supports democracy worldwide, and funded by European Union to mount the campaign entitled, Raising Awareness on the Provisions of ACJL 2022 For Improved Justice Delivery In Anambra State (RAPID) Project.
*One of the sensitization billboards on Nanka-Ekwulobia Road*
Under the RAPID project featured awareness creation programmes for key actors in the justice sector such as the police, the judiciary, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Correctional Service, state-based law enforcement agents such as Operation Clean and Health Anambra, OCHA Brigade among others as well as non-state actor including civil society activists and media professionals with a view to popularizing the innovative provisions of the law.
Participants were educated on the abolition of arrest in lieu which had been in practice especially by the police for decades. This is the practice of arresting a close relation of an offender in his or her stead due to his disappearance after committing the offence.
The Chairman, Magistrates Association, Anambra State Chapter, Onome Nwankwo, during one of the capacity building workshops noted, “In section 9 (4), you can no longer arrest a person in lieu of another person suspected of an offence. At your expense, after arrest, you must inform the family of the suspect. You must also allow the suspect to make calls to the family to inform them about his situation,” she told the law enforcers.
Secretary, ACJMC, Anambra State, Rose Okeke, During Legal Clinic
“No more adjourning sine dine. Every criminal proceeding must be completed within 12 months. Also, a suspect can be tried in absentia. I have done it in seven cases and four of the suspects have been rearrested. Before now if a defendant is not in the court, that case died naturally. But not again in Anambra State.
A Chief Magistrate, Dr Mike Anyadiegwu, shed further light. “The law now permits police officers who are not lawyers to prosecute offenders in courts. It also gives vigilante operatives the power of arrest just like any other private citizen. “However, they don’t have power to detain anybody or accept them to bail. They are to hand over arrested persons to the police”.
“ACJL 2022 also provides for a central criminal registry to track down serial offenders. Unfortunately, this is not yet in place. Under the law, victims of crime are now compensated while the offenders face the penalties.
*One of the sensitization programmes in churches*
RoLAC State Project Coordinator, Josephine Onah, stated that her organization’s commitment to bettering the justice system of Anambra remains unwavering. “In criminal justice, it commences from the police and gets to the prison. So, everybody including traditional rulers, presidents-general, lawyers, civil society activists, journalists and many others should be involved. We must all understand the law and comply with it.
“We also want the CSOs to monitor implementation of this law. You are all very important change agents. So, let's all join hands together,” she pleaded.
The formal events immediately gave way to community legal clinic in two communities selected from the two senatorial districts of the state and sensitization across parish churches and markets. ACJL messages were posted on bill boards in five major locations in the state with awareness creation in bus stations, motor and tricycle parks. The goal is to keep the citizenry informed of the provisions of the law which are meant to protect them from violations they have suffered in the past.
The event availed the locales in Awkuzu, Oyi LGA, and Ekwulobia, Aguata LGA opportunity to seek clarifications on issues that have bothered them for long.
The Secretary of Anambra State Justice Sector Monitoring Committee, (ACJMC) Rose Okeke, charged the people to take advantage of the new law to seek redress for any wrong done to them by state actors or fellow citizens. “You do not need to pay for bail because ACJL and Police Act say that bail is free. So do not allow anyone to intimidate you into giving money to bail yourself or anyone”.
*Secretary, ACJMC, Anambra State, Rose Okeke, During Legal Clinic*
“The law also empowers you as a citizen to arrest offenders. You have the same power that is given to the vigilante operatives. You can arrest but do not go overboard to detain or accept suspects to bail. Hand them over straight to the police for investigation and prosecution.
A member of the team, Chuks Ifiora, told the citizens to guard against arrest in lieu which ACJL 2022 has abolished. According to him, “the police or any other law enforcement agency has no right to arrest the father in the place of his son suspected of an offence. If it happens, call any of the numbers in the fliers we are giving you. The committee in charge will answer your calls.
Visibly appreciative citizens laid their minds bare as they commended the move by JDPC Onitsha and RoLAC to sanitize the criminal justice system of the state. “I will paste this in my shop, one of the traders at Eke-Ekwulobia, Grace Nwobi, said in appreciation of the sensitization campaign”.
*One of the sensitization campaign programmes at Eke Market Ekwulobia*
Another woman, who did not want her name in print, remarked, “What you people are doing is good. We appreciated it. This is why we say everybody should be educated to know and defend their right. I appreciate this law especially for forbidding arrest in lieu”.
A septuagenarian, Iwuoku Nweke, in Awkuzu, equally extolled the move to keep the citizens abreast of the law. “Most often, government makes law and we the citizens are not aware of it. This sensitization is good for all of us. These fliers with contacts we can call when in need is highly appreciated,” he concluded.
*JDPC Onitsha Popularizing ACJL 2022 Through Tricycle*
During the awareness creation project, JDPC Onitsha embarked on intensive social campaign to further sensitize the populace on the provisions of the state ACJL 2022. Its Executive Director, Reverend Father Edwin Udoye, said the RAPID project, was the contribution of his organization towards effective and efficient implementation of ACJL. This is why we built the capacity of all the actors in the justice sector and other critical stakeholders within the civil society and media,” he explained.
He pledged sustained commitment of the organization towards the growth and development of the state. “This is a faith-based organization and we are committed to the good of the society. We will keep the zeal towards ensuring that the society gets better. It is a commitment we cannot shirk,” he assured.
