Criminal Justice: AGF, Other Stakeholders Gather for Inauguration of NWC on National Minimum Standards for ACJA

By: Michael Mike

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside key stakeholders including the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Adam Oaigwe (SAN), and the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, have convened in Abuja for the inauguration of the National Working Committee on National Minimum Standards for the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC).

This significant event, organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), will span three days from September 24-26, 2024.

Mr. Badejogbin Oluwatoyin, Project Manager of Component 1 – Criminal Justice Reform under the RoLAC II Programme, highlighted the objectives of the event in a statement. He noted that the primary goal is to establish a National Working Group of stakeholders to review and validate the National Minimum Standards for the effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

“The summit will support the adoption of national minimum standards for the implementation of the ACJA/ACJL, develop strategies for increasing awareness about the ACJA/ACJL, and identify key ACJA/ACJL-related documents for translation, printing, and dissemination,” the statement read.

Deliverables from the event include National Minimum Standards for the Implementation of ACJA, 2015; strategies for raising awareness of ACJA/ACJL among the general population; and a list of key legal documents related to ACJLs for translation into various local languages and printing. 

This, according to the statement, ensures that legal information is accessible to a broader segment of the population, fostering greater understanding and compliance with the laws.

The RoLAC Programme Phase II, funded by the European Union and implemented by International IDEA in Nigeria, aims to consolidate the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms across the Federal Capital Territory and selected states: Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, Lagos, and Plateau. A key component of the programme focuses on enhancing the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery.

The Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), enacted in 2015, marked a significant milestone in Nigeria’s criminal justice administration. Lagos and Anambra had earlier enacted their own Administration of Criminal Justice Laws, setting a precedent for other states to follow. While the ACJA has achieved considerable success, gaps and weaknesses have necessitated the development of national minimum standards for its implementation.

About International IDEA

International IDEA is the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, funded by the European Union. The RoLAC II Programme aims to enhance the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery in Nigeria. The programme promotes transparency, accountability, and effectiveness within the justice sector. Building on the achievements of the previous RoLAC I Programme, RoLAC II aligns with the objectives of the EU–Federal Republic of Nigeria Multi-Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2022-2027. It aims to further consolidate the justice sector and anti-corruption reforms, reduce gender-based violence, and promote respect for human rights.

Criminal Justice: AGF, Other Stakeholders Gather for Inauguration of NWC on National Minimum Standards for ACJA

EU Provides €5.4 million in Respond to Floods in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions

…Nigeria Gets €1.1 million

By: Michael Mike

The European Union has released €5.4 million in humanitarian aid to help the most affected populations in the aftermath of the devastating floods in Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Nigeria, according to a statement on Monday would be getting €1.1 million.

More than 4.4 million people are estimated to be affected in the six countries by floods which led to the destruction of houses, public health facilities, water systems, schools and sanitation facilities as well as roads, infrastructures, and agricultural areas.

There is apprehension that the lack of access to water, hygiene, and sanitation services may increase the risk of spreading of waterborne diseases.

The statement by Europe Union read: “This funding will help our humanitarian partners on the ground to provide immediate aid and respond to the most urgent needs concerning food, shelter, access to clean water and sanitation and other essential services in the hardest-hit areas.

“The amount will be distributed as follows:
Chad €1,000,000; Niger €1,350,000; Nigeria €1,100,000; Mali € 1,000,000; Cameroon €650,000, Burkina Faso €300,000.”

According to the statement, the funding comes in addition to €232 million in humanitarian assistance already allocated to these countries so far this year.

It added that in addition, the EU and its partners had already responded to the immediate consequences of floods in Liberia, Guinea, Chad, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Mali, through timely adjustments to ongoing actions and/or contribution to the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The EU Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič said: “Excessive rainfalls have lashed the Sahel and Lake Chad regions with unprecedented impact, displacing millions and causing widespread suffering and damage. We are mobilising all means at our disposal to help the most vulnerable in the flood-stricken countries, so they can receive much needed relief.”

Many areas have been impacted way harder than during previous flooding events. The exceptional precipitations recorded in Mali are the highest since 1967. In Niger, over 1 million people have been affected. The number raises to 1,5 million people in Chad, where more rainfall is expected. In Nigeria, the Northern regions, already impacted by a severe food and nutrition crisis driven by conflict, insecurity and high inflation, are among the hardest hit and the failure of a dam in the Maiduguri area has severely worsened the situation.

Approximately, 641,600 people are now estimated to be displaced and more heavy rainfall is expected according to forecast.

The floods, coupled with the lack of access to water, hygiene, and sanitation services throughout the region, could lead to increased risk of cholera, especially in the cholera endemic areas.

EU Provides €5.4 million in Respond to Floods in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions

79th UNGA: US Chamber Of Commerce Commits $320m To Mortgage Financing, SMEs, Others In Nigeria

*** As VP Shettima assures of President Tinubu’s dedication to investor-friendly nation

By: Our Reporter

Nigeria’s participation at the 79th Session of the ongoing United Nations General Assembly recorded the first success on Monday, as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s commitment towards mortgage refinancing and women empowerment received the support of the United States Chamber of Commerce with a commitment of about $320 million.

This is just as Vice President Kashim Shettima , who is leading the federal government delegation and representing President Tinubu at this year’s UNGA, has met with other members of Nigeria’s delegation to strategise on Nigeria’s engagements in New York.

At a US-Nigeria Executive Business Roundtable hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce, Nisha Biswal of the American International Development Finance Corporation announced that with a portfolio of $1 billion, it was investing $200 million in mortgage refinancing in Nigeria.

The sum of $100 million has been earmarked for FCMB to finance SMEs in Nigeria, with particular interest in women empowerment.

The US Chamber of Commerce also announced that $20 million has been approved for a firm, Robust International, for processing of cashew nuts in Nigeria.

Biswal said the American Chamber remained committed to working with Nigerians in the development and pursuit of sustainable economic policies.

Appreciating the gesture of the group, Vice President Shettima reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to investor-friendly policies.

He stated: “I urge you to give Nigeria the benefit of the doubt. The current administration led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the most investor-friendly administration in the history of Nigeria. When fuel subsidy was an albatross around Nigeria’s neck, President Tinubu, from day one, hit the ground running by withdrawing the fuel subsidy and unifying the multiple opaque foreign exchange markets.”

Earlier on Monday, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, led other members to brief the Vice President on the activities and itinerary lined up for him in New York.

Tuggar outlined the programmes and activities, saying the Vice President is expected to deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s national statement at the General Debate of the UN General Assembly.

Apart from President Tinubu’s national statement delivery, Vice President Kashim Shettima is also expected to meet with the Secretary General of the United Nations.

Aside other heads of states lined up to meet with the Vice President, there are also scheduled meetings with the head of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States; the President of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Director General of the International Atomic Agency, and multinational companies, among others.

Also on the itinerary of the Vice President is a meeting with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and a host of other international partners.

Top Nigerian officials present at the meeting included the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani; Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite.

Others are Minister of Solid Mineral Development, Dele Alake; Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Kunle Salako; Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Mohammed Mohammed, among many others.

79th UNGA: US Chamber Of Commerce Commits $320m To Mortgage Financing, SMEs, Others In Nigeria