JRI, HURILAWS Demand Full Enforcement of ACJL in Benue Seven Years After Domestication

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Justice and Rights Initiative (JRI), in collaboration with the Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS), has urged the Benue State Government and other relevant bodies to ensure the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Makurdi on Friday, the Acting Executive Director of JRI, Solomon Torluam, stated that both organizations spearheaded advocacy efforts that led to the domestication of the Benue State ACJL. However, he expressed concern that although the law was enacted in 2019, it has yet to be fully implemented by key stakeholders in the criminal justice sector, seven years later.
Torluam further revealed that the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, mandated to oversee the implementation of the ACJL in the state, remains inactive due to inadequate funding.
He observed that several innovative provisions of the ACJL 2019 have not been executed by relevant authorities. According to him, the Nigerian Correctional Service in Benue State lacks essential facilities, including the establishment of a Community Service Centre, rehabilitation facilities, a functional Parole Board or Committee, as well as adequate funding for the Non-Custodial Centre.
“There is a general lack of commitment on the part of the government to implement the ACJL, as evidenced by insufficient funding,” he said.
Torluam emphasized that both organizations are partnering with the media as critical stakeholders in driving the implementation of the ACJL. He called on media practitioners to enlighten the public and stakeholders on the law’s provisions and objectives by raising awareness about citizens’ rights and changes in legal procedures.
He also encouraged criminal justice actors to work closely with the media in advocating necessary reforms and improvements in the law’s implementation, drawing from public opinion and identified gaps.
According to him, highlighting positive outcomes and success stories relating to the ACJL through media engagement could boost public confidence in the justice system and foster cooperation among stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, legal professionals, and the public.
“A well-informed populace is more likely to comply with legal procedures. Media engagement can serve as a channel for public feedback, enabling authorities to assess the impact of the ACJL on the community and make necessary adjustments based on real experiences,” he added.
Both the Human Rights Law Service and the Justice and Rights Initiative called on the media, as partners and stakeholders, to help build a more informed and engaged public while promoting the effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in Benue State.
Also speaking, the Head of Human Rights Education and Promotion at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Desmond Jinge, advocated sustained media campaigns to ensure that citizens are aware of their rights under the ACJL, enabling them to make informed decisions.