ASABE WAZIRI JUSTICE ADVOCACY INITIATIVE

Championing Justice: A Unified Push for Reform

On January 20, 2025, the Asabe Waziri Justice Advocacy Initiative (AWJAI), in collaboration with the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC), Citizens Gavel, Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), Legend Golden Care Foundation, Law Hub Development Advocacy, and Hope Behind Bars Africa (HBBA), conducted a pivotal oversight visit to Dawaki Police Station. Led by His Worship Muhammed Tahir, the visit reinforced a shared commitment to promoting justice, protecting human dignity, and ensuring due process for all.

During the visit, nine detainees were interviewed, leading to immediate action.  Three were released on the spot after the Magistrate found no legal grounds for their continued detention. Four others were scheduled for court arraignment, while two were granted bail. These swift interventions provided critical relief and reinforced the importance of timely and fair justice in upholding human rights.

Encouragingly, the visit revealed notable improvements in detainee conditions, including cleaner holding cells and access to running water – a significan step forward. His Worship Muhammed Tahir emphasized a fundamental legal safeguard: no one should be detained for more than 48 hours without a court order.  This principle is essential in preventing unlawful detentions and safeguarding individual freedoms.

Beyond advocating for detainee rights, AWJAI and HBBA took direct action to improve detainee welfare, donating sanitary materials to enhance hygiene within the station. However, the visit also shed light on persistent challenges, particularly the struggle to provide detainees with adequate meals – a burden that often falls on police officers using their personal resources.  This underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms and better resource allocation to uphold detainee rights and basic human dignity.

The Dawaki Police Station visit stands as a powerful testament to the impact of collective action in advancing justice, fairness, and accountability. AWJAI and its partners are demonstrating that a justice system that serves all is not just an aspiration – it is an achievable reality. With each step forward, we move closer to a society where justice is not a privilege, but a fundamental right for all.

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