By Christiana Lot
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) recently organised a comprehensive two-day event focused on bolstering access to justice in Plateau State.
The initiative centered on the administration of criminal justice instruments, aimed to foster efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the state’s legal framework.
Gathering an array of prominent stakeholders including PPDC representatives, government officials, legal practitioners, and civil society organizations, the event served as a platform for deliberating strategies to elevate the effectiveness of Plateau State’s criminal justice system.
Mr. Jubril Shittu, CEO of PPDC, expressed gratitude for the collaborative endeavours that had propelled significant strides over the past two years, notably through initiatives targeting court administration and case management projects.
He underscored the indispensability of authentic partnerships and elucidated interventions geared towards sustainability.
Barr (Mrs) Linda Daze, the State Programme Manager for PPDC, explained the organization’s endeavours to amplify access to justice in Plateau State.
She spotlighted initiatives such as the implementation of a management project aimed at streamlining operations within the criminal justice sector, including the integration of virtual hearing facilities, fortification of institutional capacities, and expansion of the case management system.
Notably, she emphasized the imperative of curtailing file retrieval time and announced the launch of the Reforming Pictorial Detention Phase Two project, envisaging the release of 1800 inmates annually.
Hon. Philemon Dafe, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice for Plateau State, commended PPDC’s pivotal contributions and furnished a comprehensive scorecard detailing the Ministry of Justice’s accomplishments.
He underscored the importance of embracing technological innovations, legislative reforms, and collaboration with the private sector to augment access to justice.
Chief Judge of Plateau State, Justice David Gwom Mann, highlighted the judiciary’s concerted endeavours to enhance court facilities, expedite case adjudication, and decongest the correctional facilities.
He acknowledged PPDC’s support in digitizing court processes and advocated sustained collaboration to amplify interventions across all judicial platforms.
Representing Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, Arch. Samuel Jatau, Secretary to the State Government, reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to synergizing with PPDC and other stakeholders to modernize the justice sector.
He underscored the pivotal role of expeditious and effective justice delivery in upholding the rule of law and fostering societal harmony.
In a keynote address titled “Swift and Efficient Justice on the Plateau: Myth or Reality?”, Prof. Dakas C.J Dakas (SAN) underscored the paramount importance of expeditious justice delivery.
He spoke on the adverse ramifications of delayed justice on individual rights, public trust in the judiciary, commercial activities, investments, and resource allocation. Prof. Dakas advocated for concerted collaboration among stakeholders to tackle challenges, including the dearth of comprehensive data on justice delivery, while urging the legal fraternity to address behaviors contributing to delays.
“Swift and efficient justice is not merely an abstract aspiration but an essential prerequisite for maintaining order, stability, safeguarding individual rights, and upholding the rule of law in society,” he emphasized.
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