As part of our advocacy for legal justice and equity, AWJAI joined the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) in partnership with Citizens Gavel to conduct an oversight monitoring at the Jikwoyi Police Station.
Led by Senior Magistrate Balogun Babatunde Punariman of the Magistrate Court Karu, the visit was to ensure the station’s compliance with detention conditions and Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA.
The Station had 49 complaints in the month of June, with 9 detained, 2 charged to court and the rest settled. There were no detainees as the cells were empty. The DCO 1, Moses Oche stated that they try to act according to the law and not keep individuals more than 48 hours.
Her Worship urged them to always bring their cases early to court as this will facilitate justice and the processes. She also encouraged them to urge individuals who have cases involving small sums like three thousand or five thousand naira to settle cases out of court so as not to be-labour the court.
Responding to a complaint about whose duty it is to transport defendants who are charged to court to prison, she stated it was the work of the correctional facility and urged them to bring this to her notice when next they appear before her. She also expressed the commitment of the court to ensure that everyone carries out their duty faithfully to facilitate justice administration.
The station was in fairly good condition.
AWJAI continuous to stand for justice, fairness and restoration of dignity to every detainee or defendant. Everyone irrespective of socio-economic background deserves access to justice.
