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Citizens of Commonwealth to Benefit from Improved Justice System
Citizens of Commonwealth to Benefit from Improved Justice System
By: Michael Mike
Nigerians and other Commonwealth citizens will benefit from improved people-centred access to justice after law ministers from Commonwealth counties agreed on a package of new measures and pledges.
A press statement by the Commonwealth on Wednesday read that: “Millions of Commonwealth citizens will benefit from improved people-centred access to justice as law ministers concluded their meeting in Zanzibar yesterday with a package of new measures and pledges.”
The statement added that the package was shaped by four-day deliberations among ministers, with input from diverse stakeholders, including people with disabilities, civil society representatives and leading innovators in the legal sector.
The statement said: “As part of this package, ministers resolved to ramp up efforts to remove barriers to access to justice and address the legal needs of all citizens.
“Key provisions include improved access to justice for people with disabilities, a model law on virtual assets, a new action plan to protect women from online violence and a proposal to eliminate gender-discriminatory legislation.
“Ministers also welcomed an array of new Commonwealth legal resources, including a mediation guide, a small claims court app for dispute resolution and a database for cooperation on criminal matters.
“Additionally, they adopted the Commonwealth guidelines on the treatment of electronic evidence in criminal proceedings, designed to offer member countries a framework to craft national legislation.
“To support the implementation, ministers requested the Commonwealth Law Ministers Action Group to report progress at the next meeting.”
According to the statement, the package summarises the outcome statement issued by ministers, representing one-third of humanity, at the end of their meeting on 8 February 2024.
Speaking after the meeting, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, The Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, said the measures were “absolutely critical” because two-thirds of the world’s population lack meaningful access to justice.
She said: “Our discussions have been purposeful, our decisions have been meaningful, and our powerful new consensus allows us to take the next giant steps forward towards equal access to justice, in modernised legal systems, across our wonderful Commonwealth.
“We leave Zanzibar with a powerful mandate which will allow us to take the next decisive steps to ensure justice for all is the lived experience of every one of the 2.5 billion people living in our Commonwealth.”
In their statement, ministers recognised the Secretariat’s tech-driven justice solutions and its work on artificial intelligence as important interventions in improving access to legal information and transforming justice delivery in today’s complex world.
The Secretariat also presented several papers in the field of energy and extractives, including a carbon tax model law and an oil and gas decommissioning guide, which leverage legislation in efforts to tackle climate change and deliver a just transition.
Hosted by the United Republic of Tanzania from 4 to 8 March 2024, the meeting was chaired by Hon Ambassador Dr Pindi H. Chana, the country’s Minister of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, who commended the substantive outcomes.
Officiating the closing ceremony on 8 March 2024, H.E. Hussein Mwinyi, President of Zanzibar, said:
“I am pleased to note that the meeting has recorded a number of achievements, which challenge us to undertake reforms in an effort to ensure that justice is accessible to all.
“I am aware of efforts that the Commonwealth countries have taken to shape its agenda on the rule of law and access to justice. It is high time that you made the same efforts on access to justice through digitisation.”
The outcomes from the meeting will shape the agenda for the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa later this year.
The next meeting will be hosted by the Government of Fiji in February 2026.
Citizens of Commonwealth to Benefit from Improved Justice System
FCT Police Arrest Five Suspects Over Village Head’s Kidnapping, Intensify Rescue Efforts
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Police Force(NPF), FCT Command has arrested five suspects linked to the kidnapping of the Village Head of Dagachi Hamlet, Yuda Garba, and five others in Ungwan Pawa Dnako Village along Igu Road.
It was gathered that at about 6:30 AM on March 11, 2025, 15 armed hoodlums had invaded the village earlier that night, abducting the victims.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that a joint team of police officers, hunters, and vigilantes were immediately dispatched to the scene, where they conducted a thorough search of the surrounding bushes.
The sources said that preliminary investigations revealed that the villagers had recently sold their farmlands, and there were reports of suspicious individuals, believed to be Fulani settlers, arriving in the area.
As a result of the ongoing operation, five suspects identified as Abdullahi Idris, Tambaya Idris, Haruna Tukur, Umar U. Haruna, and Nasiru Haruna have been arrested in connection with the crime.
Meanwhile, efforts are being intensified to rescue the kidnapped victims and track down the fleeing suspects.
FCT Police Arrest Five Suspects Over Village Head’s Kidnapping, Intensify Rescue Efforts
Troops Neutralize 2 Kidnappers, Recover Ammunition in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 3 Division, Nigerian Army, under Operation Safe Haven have neutralized two notorious kidnappers and recovered ammunition in Kuru and Turu, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation, conducted as part of Operation Lafiyan Jama’a, targeted criminal elements hiding in the area.
During the raid, troops engaged the criminals in a firefight, forcing them to retreat toward high ground. Two suspects, identified as Aminu Shuaibu and Yusuf, were captured. A search of their possession revealed 18 rounds of 7.62mm (Special) ammunition and nine rounds of 5.56 x 45mm ammunition.
Preliminary interrogation revealed that the suspects had participated in the March 9 kidnapping of a woman in Rantya, Jos South LGA. They also admitted to possessing weapons at their hideout and offered to lead troops to recover them.
However, while being escorted to the location, the suspects attempted to disarm a soldier and were neutralized. Troops also recovered several cows suspected to have been rustled by the criminals.
The animals have been moved to a secured location for safekeeping until their rightful owners are identified.
Troops Neutralize 2 Kidnappers, Recover Ammunition in Plateau
Troops Rescue Two Kidnapped Girls in Plateau, Pursue Fleeing Suspects
Troops of 3 Division, Nigerian Army, under Operation Safe Haven have rescued two kidnapped victims in the outskirts of Josho Village, Daffo District, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out at about 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday following credible intelligence on the location of the victims.
Upon sighting the troops, the kidnappers abandoned their captives and fled into the bush. A search of their hideout led to the rescue of two female victims, identified as 11-year-old Nanbam Adamu and Dorcas Wantu, both from Mbor Village in Mushere District, Bokkos LGA.
The victims were debriefed and handed over to their uncle, Mr. Caleb Mantau, to reunite them with their families.
Meanwhile, troops have launched a follow-up operation to track down and neutralize the fleeing kidnappers.
Troops Rescue Two Kidnapped Girls in Plateau, Pursue Fleeing Suspects
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