By John Azu
Legal experts and justice-sector stakeholders have called for improved documentation and stronger coordination among institutions involved in the remand process to reduce prolonged detention and missing court records in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The call was made during a two-day capacity-building training for registrars and magistrates of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Judiciary organised by the Restorative Justice for Africa (REJA) Initiative in collaboration with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme of International IDEA, the European Union, Spaces for Change and Action Group for Free Civic Space in Abuja.
The training focused on strengthening the capacity of judicial officers and court registrars to effectively manage the remand process, identify cases requiring legal aid intervention, maintain accurate case records and improve coordination with justice-sector institutions, including the Police, Department of State Services (DSS) and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Participants also examined the risk of political actors exploiting remand orders to curtail or restrict citizens’ fundamental rights, stressing the need for strict compliance with legal safeguards governing the remand process.
In a keynote address, Professor Bukola Akinola cited cases documented in law reports involving suspects who were tried and convicted but later denied previous wrongdoing after rising to prominent political positions, attributing such gaps partly to inadequate record-keeping.
Speaking on “The Critical Role of Court Registrars in Safeguarding Access to Justice,” Akinola described court registrars as critical stakeholders and the engine room of the remand process because of their role in the communication chain among justice-sector institutions.
She urged registrars to maintain accurate and accessible records, stressing that proper documentation was essential to ensuring accountability and protecting the rights of defendants.
In her goodwill message, the Executive Director of REJA, Grace Shobanke, said the organisation was established to address gaps in support for indigent persons, rehabilitation, legal representation, restorative justice advocacy and social justice.
She said REJA had impacted more than 14,000 people and represented over 900 indigent inmates across six states.
“We have championed restorative justice as a people-centred alternative to retributive justice and built integration pathways for formerly incarcerated individuals,” she said.
The Head of Legal at REJA, Chibueze Maduka, said the training was designed to strengthen the capacity of court staff in remand procedures, case identification and proper documentation.
In a presentation, the Managing Partner of Compos Mentis LP, Emokiniovo Dafe-Akpedeye, introduced the Legal Aid Booth established by REJA and outlined the factors that could qualify defendants for early referral, including indigency, educational background, the nature of the charge and access to legal representation.
Dafe-Akpedeye stressed the importance of adequate documentation in ensuring effective access to justice.
Representing the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme of International IDEA, Joshua Gbenga Dada said the organisation would continue to support capacity-building programmes and reforms in the justice sector.
Similarly, the representative of Spaces for Change, Testimony Omole, commended REJA for organising the training and reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting initiatives aimed at strengthening civic space.