President of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), Prof Yemi Akinseye-George, has challenged participants in the capacity building workshop on the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/ Laws to leverage the training offered by the centre to work towards achieving National Minimum Standards (NMS) in compliance with best practices in Plateau State.
Akinseye-George, represented by executive assistant, Oyinloye Opajobi, stated this at a two-day training organised by the centre in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice and with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme in Jos.
According to him, the training aims to promote a deeper understanding of the National Minimum Standards among critical stakeholders and the general public so that the ACJA can be effectively implemented.
The President noted that the workshop is essential because CSLS wants to keep States abreast with the National Minimum Standards (NMS) for effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Laws of various states in the country.
He pointed out that the event is happening in different states across the country, stressing that in Plateau State, they are trying to familiarise stakeholders with the National Minimum Standards (NMS), which are documents that provide the minimum requirements for states in implementing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Laws in the country.
The President also disclosed that 50 participants are participating in the training workshop and are drawn from different sectors of the Criminal Justice system, including the Courts, Judges/ Magistrates, the Nigeria Police, the Nigerian Correctional Service, the Ministry of Justice, and members of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).
He further argued that the Criminal Justice system does not just work with one sector alone, adding that CSLS is trying to bring as many people on board involved in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act/ Laws process to educate them on what is expected of them.
He added that the NMS provides recommendations to ensure speedy, better trials and reduce some of the challenges, including delays, congestion, and overcrowding.