NIALS/MacArthur Project on Administration of Criminal Justice ACT ACJA 2015

The John D and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation is providing support to the Project on the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 (ACJA) as part of the Foundation’s on Nigeria Grant Program. The Project aims through workshops, review bulletins and Case digests to deepen understanding of the Act and improve the management of criminal proceedings, including the prosecution of anti-corruption cases. The ACJA has the potential to significantly boost anti-corruption efforts through more effective investigations and prosecutions. Implementation of the ACJA can help to modernize the justice system, close loopholes, and provide a common legal framework. By increasing knowledge and providing practical tools for stakeholders, the project enhances nationwide familiarity with the ACJA, improves expediency in the handling of anti-corruption cases by reducing opportunities for delays in proceedings, and promoting accountability.

‘View our NIALS / MacArthur ACJA Project Documentary’

Y1 Report of ACJA Project July 2017 – June 2018

THE ORGANISATION OF THE PROJECT

A.    PROJECT MONITORING COMMITTEE

This Committee is the main policy making body of the Project. Its tasks are to –

Prepare work plans and expected output

Review and monitor project execution

Review Activity Reports of Components

Undertake general supervision of Project

MEMBERSHIP

Prof Adedeji Adekunle SAN    – Project Coordinator

Prof A Guobadia                   – Member

Prof Peter Akper SAN           – Member

Prof Paul Idornigie SAN         – Dep. Project Coordinator/Component (‘B’ Coordinator)

Prof Animi Awah                  – Member

Assoc. Prof. Emmanuel Okon – Dep. Project Coordinator/Component (‘A’ lead)

Calista Anyanwu/Mary Yogh   – Admin Secretary

Akobella Joshua                   – Project Monitoring Officer

Joke Adediran                     – Project Monitoring Officer

Sadiq Musa                         – Project Accountant

B.    THE THREE COMPONENTS OF THE PROJECT

COMPONENT A – ACJA TRAINING WORKSHOPS AND MODULE DEVELOPMENT

An essential component of the Project on the Implementation of the ACJA 2015 resourced by the MacArthur Foundation is the delivery of institutionalized Training for Judges which envisages collaboration with the National Judicial Institute. Apart from Judicial officers, workshops will also target Defence and prosecuting counsel. Pursuant to this NIALS has developed manuals for these workshops. The manuals were successfully tested in two workshops this year and will be the main training material for subsequent workshops for the duration of the project.

To ensure effective planning and coordination of these workshops, therefore, this Component is driven by a Steering Committee comprising:

1.    Dr Emmanuel Okon, Assoc. Professor and Director of Studies   – Chairman

2.    Dr Francisca Nlerum, Assoc. Professor and Head Dept of Commercial Law  – Member

3.    Dr. Ibe Okegbe, Head Public law Dept      – Member

4.    Mr. Castro Nwabuzor, Coordinator CCLE    – Member

5.    Mrs. Lilian Uche, Research Fellow             – Secretary

TASKS

a)    Draw up realistic Schedule for training

b)    Assign coordinators/Managers for events

c)    Update Workshop Manuals in line with developments in case of law including where necessary incorporate feedbacks from participants into the appropriate ACJA manual

d)    Identify and propose resource experts

Outputs

•   Project Reports

Report on the Training Workshop on ACJA 2015 for Lawyers

 Report of a Training Workshop for Judges and Lawyers on the Implementation of the ACJA 2015

•    Workshop Manuals

COMPONENT B – PRODUCTION OF TOOL KITS, CASE DIGESTS AND POLICY BRIEFS

One of the components of the Project on the Implementation of the ACJA 2015 resourced by the MacArthur Foundation is the publication and dissemination of Case digests and bulletins on judgments and rulings on the ACJA. This is with a view to enhancing familiarity and skills in the application of the ACJA as well as compliance with the ACJA

This Committee is responsible for effective editorial work, planning and coordination of this activity. The members of the committee are as follows:

1.    Prof. Paul Idornigie SAN, Director of Research    – Chairman

2.    Mr. Shankyula Tersoo, Senior Researcher          – Member

3.    Mrs. Osato Eruaga, Researcher                        – Member

4.    Mr. Emeka Odum, Researcher                         – Member

5.    Dr. Irekpitan Okukpon, Researcher                   – Secretary

TASKS

1.    Collate and Research Case-law

2.    Determine Content/Subject matters of Bulletins

3.    Assign tasks to contributors and supervise output

4.    Undertake editorial work for publishing tools

Outputs

•    Digest on ACJA

Digest of Cases on the ACJA 2015

•    Policy Bulletins

Withdrawal of Judges and Lawyers from Criminal Proceedings

Remand Order Protocol Under the ACJA 2015

COMPONENT C – DEVELOPMENT OF RULES UNDER ACJA 2015

A third component of the Project on the Implementation of the ACJA 2015 resourced by the MacArthur Foundation is the development of Implementation Rules and Guidelines under ACJA in collaboration with the office of the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court. This is with a view to providing guidance to stakeholders and ensuring compliance with the ACJA.

To ensure effective planning and coordination of this activity therefore a Steering Committee on Rules for ACJA 2015 with membership drawn the FCT Judiciary NIALS and Project cohorts exists with membership and TOR as follows:

1.    Hon Mr. Justice I. Bello, Chief Judge FCT   – Chairman

2.    Hon Justice Garba                                  – Dep Chairman

3.    Hon Justice Goodluck                             –  Member

4.    Hon Justice Affen                                  –  Member

5.    Prof. Peter Akper SAN                            – Member

6.    Hartmut Zander, GIZ PPA (Nigeria)           – National Project Coordinator

7.    Dr Fatima Waziri-Azi                                – Member

8.    Mr. David Oluwagbami                            – Member

9.    Mr. Rodney Adzuanaga                           – Member

10.    Mr. Okike Ajanwachuku                        – Secretary

TASKS

1.    Supervise the Drafting of Rules

2.    Assign tasks to drafting Personnel

3.    Determine Scope and Content of Rules

C.    PROJECT COHORTS

Grant recipients under the On Nigeria Project of the MacArthur Foundation are organized into subject matter cohorts. NIALS is a member of the Cohort on the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015. Other members and a short description of grant activities are listed below.

LEGAL DEFENCE AND ASSISTANCE PROJECT (LEDAP)

LEDAP’s project centers on the Implementation of the ACJA at the State level. It aims to support the state-level implementation of the ACJA in four states as a way of achieving nationwide improvements in criminal justice administration. In this regard activities include: Consultation with stakeholders; Technical and advisory services; Monitoring and documentation of actions taken, results achieved and progress made, for the purpose of sharing the positive changes in the project;
http://ledapnigeria.org/

THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF WOMEN LAWYERS (FIDA) NIGERIA

FIDA seeks through its grant to enable capacity for the adoption and implementation of the ACJ Act in 33 states in Nigeria.  Its activities includes achieving a well-informed Bar, Bench, Police Force and citizenry on the provisions of the ACJA (b)provide technical assistance to States that request such assistance for adoption of the ACJA (c)achieve an effective Criminal Justice System with expeditious dispensation of justice available to all persons particularly indigent women.

To achieve the above objectives FIDA has carried out Continuing Legal Education on the ACJA and other complementary laws such as the Whistle Blower Policy, the Procurement Act and the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 (VAPP Act), within the framework of the 33 branches of FIDA Nigeria
Visit  http://fida.org.ng

CLEEN FOUNDATION

CLEEN is focusing on digitizing ACJA –Case law/Courts Proceedings in Nigeria, reducing corruption, promote judicial transparency in processing anti-corruption cases; and enhance accountability in the criminal justice system in Nigeria. In carrying out these activities, CLEED inaugurated an ACJA Observatory Group in Abuja in August 2017 and developed and designed a technology platform known as “Uwazidocs”. CLEEN conducts periodic trainings for potential end users on the workings of the technology and monitors court proceedings and cases on ACJA in Lagos, Anambra, Ekiti, Abuja, Enugu, Oyo and Ondo.

For more information visit www.cleen.org

PARTNERS WEST AFRICA NIGERIA (PWAN)

PWAN is pursuing the enhancement of transparency and accountability in the Justice Sector in Nigeria, and adherence to the ACJ Law by observing compliance across courts in the designated states. In carrying out these activities, PWAN organized a Public Release of Court Observation findings and Presentation of Court Observation findings in the FCT, Lagos and Ondo states. www.partnersnigeria.org

NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION (NBA)

NBA’s project centers on Promoting the domestication and Implementation of ACJ Act in 28 states in Nigeria. Their activity includes: Improving the administration of criminal justice in 28 states of Nigeria; Legislative Advocacy and Technical Support in the states; Capacity Development and Continuing training on provisions of the ACJA for legal practitioners in Nigeria through their Institute of Continuing Legal Education e-learning platform and Training of state-level ACJ Trainers.
Visit.  https://www.nigerianbar.org.ng