CLEEN Foundation and the Federal Government have launched a new project aimed at strengthening rights-based justice delivery and advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Nigeria.
Speaking at the launch on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Assistant Director of the Department of Public Prosecutions, Barrister. David Emmanuel Kaswe said the initiative was timely and strategic in promoting inclusivity, accountability, and peace.
According to him, the project will focus on two major objectives. The first is the full implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) in twelve states of the federation: Ekiti, Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Imo, Enugu, Benue, Plateau, Gombe, Adamawa, Kaduna, and Jigawa.
He explained that the ACJA has proven transformative at the federal level and extending its adoption would strengthen justice delivery, promote speedy trials, reduce prolonged detention, and entrench human rights protection.
The second objective is the operationalisation of the WPS agenda in five states: Imo, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa. Kaswe stressed that women play a critical role in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and inclusive governance, and that institutionalising the agenda would ensure women’s voices and leadership are integrated into decision-making processes.
“The project represents an intersection between justice and peace, rights and security, inclusion and development,” Kaswe said. “It provides an opportunity for collaboration among the justice sector, security agencies, civil society, women’s groups, and the media to achieve a Nigeria where justice is accessible, rights are protected, and peace is sustainable.”
He reaffirmed the Federal Ministry of Justice’s commitment to supporting initiatives that uphold the rule of law, protect human dignity, and entrench a rights-based approach in governance.
On behalf of the Minister, Kaswe commended the organisers and partners of the initiative and urged all stakeholders to lend their full support towards its successful implementation.
