By CLEEN
CLEEN Foundation with support from the Macarthur Foundation organized a two-day Performance Appraisal Workshop on Parole and the Administration of Criminal Justice in Kwara State, on Thursday 20th and Friday 21st June 2024 at G-Pinnacles Suites, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
The objectives of the workshop were to ensure that the administration of Justice which is the cornerstone of the society remains robust and effective; to examine the various provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act as it relates to parole in Kwara State, its legislative underpinnings, the procedural challenges and the role of stakeholders in its administration; to bring together stakeholders in the State to depoliticize the parole process as well as standardize the criteria for selection of inmates.
In attendance were key stakeholders to the parole system, including the office of the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Director of Public Prosecution; the Ministry of Justice; the Nigerian Police Force; the Nigerian Correctional Service; the Nigerian Customs Service; the National Human Rights Commission; Nigerian Bar Association; Legal Aid Council; FIDA; the Parole Board of Kwara State; Kwara State Civil Society Observatory; and the media.
The workshop was declared open by the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Kwara State who charged stakeholders that were present to be a part of the effective Administration of Criminal Justice to actualize the essence of the creation of the parole system.
Key Observations by Participants
- Kwara state has a Parole Board headed by Justice Mathew Olabamiji Adewara (Rtd). However, the Board has not met since inauguration;
- The administration of the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) is not in place in Kwara State;
- Section 259 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Kwara State should be reviewed by expunging the prerogative of mercy and substituting the Court to be in line with the provision of ACJA and the Nigerian Correctional Service Act (2019);
- No inmate in the state correctional facilities has benefitted from parole, however, twenty-three correctional inmates were released recently by the state governor through the prerogative of mercy;
- Delayed Trials in the Justice System: Trial within trial remains a challenge in the criminal justice system, therefore, compliance with the provision of section 15 of ACJA on electronic recording of statements of suspects while the suspect writes his/her statement is germane for delivery of justice;
- There is low understanding and awareness creation of the parole system in Kwara state and Nigeria at large;
- Good and responsible parenting is part of the necessary conditions towards crime prevention and crime-free society. Parents were urged to be of good character and lead by example;
- Lack of funding: This has been a huge hindrance to actualize effective implementation of parole because of inadequate funding.
Recommendations
- The Parole Board in Kwara State should become functional for the decongestion of the correctional facilities with inmates in the state;
- Creation of clear regulations, guidelines and a work plan for the Parole Board in Kwara State;
- The administration of the Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) in Kwara State should be inaugurated and begin its function in earnest;
- There is an urgent need to improve awareness creation and advocacy on parole by governmental and non-governmental agencies and media professionals;
- Participants prayed for responsive and accountable government for the implementation of parole in the state;
- Prison Decongestions and Critical infrastructures are expected from the government for the effective implementation of parole. These infrastructures are useful for the reintegration, reformation and rehabilitation of prison inmates in the state;
- Funding of the parole system remains a priority by the Kwara State Government, Kwara State Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, Key Government Ministries and Parastatals with the support of civil society groups, development partners, and organized private sector for effective implementation of parole in the state by providing among other things, rehabilitation facilities.
Next-Step
Governmental and non-governmental agencies should develop a measurement and evaluation plan for the implementation and monitoring of these laws.
- Development of implementation plan by stakeholders.
- Development of Measurement and evaluation plan to measure performance by stakeholders.
Conclusion: Stakeholders are calling on the Kwara State Government through the Ministry of Justice to expedite action towards addressing the issues identified which are germane in improving the administration of the criminal justice system in Nigeria.
Signed By Participants:
1) Mr Muhammad Ayoola Idowu Akande, Director, Public Prosecution, Ministry of Justice, Kwara State
2) OKUNOLA, Adebayo M. Nigerian Correctional Service, Kwara State.
3) Raji, Abdulhamid K. Nigerian Correctional Service, Kwara State
4) Salihu, Olawale S. Nigerian Correctional Service, Kwara State
5) Umar, Raimi O. Nigerian Correctional Service, Kwara State
6) Ayanshola, Adeife Ayanmuyiwa, Biola Adimula and Co
7) Mr Aliyu Musa- Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
8) Barr. Adebayo Medinat Oluwakemi- FIDA
9) Manzuma Kafiyaro- Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
10) Abubakar Sadik Zarumi- Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
11) Comrade M.Z Shero – Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
12) Alh. SHOLA Muse – Police Community Relations Committee
13) Ogundele Raphael – Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
14) Mr Kehinde Ajibade – Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
15) Mr Shola Akinsola – Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
16) Barr. Patience Nkama- Legal Aid Council, Kwara State
17) Barr. Adebisi Medinat Omosholape – CLEEN Foundation State Court Data Collector
18) Barr. Ibn Mahmud Haruna- CLEEN Foundation State Court Data Collector
19) Barr. Olajumoke Olaoye – National Human Rights Commission
20) Mr. Femi Afolabi – Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
21) Mr. Mashood Adekunle – Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
22) Comrade Musa Buko – Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
23) Umar Farouk – Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
24) Barr. Funke Balogun- Ministry of Justice, Kwara State
25) Abdullahi Abdulraman Adebisi – Kwara State Civil Society Observatory
26) Mr. Yusuf Mudashir – National Human Rights Commission
Legal Framework On Parole, The Administration Of Criminal Justice In Nigeria Organised By CLEEN Foundation With Support From The Macarthur Foundation On Thursday 20th And Friday 21st June, 2024 In Ilorin, Kwara State.
