Sultan Foundation Sensitizes Tashar Sani motor park community on ACJL
The Sultan Foundation for Peace and Development, in collaboration with the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC), recently organized a one-day sensitization program at Tashar Sani, a well-known motor park in Yola, Adamawa State. The event aimed to educate the motor park community about the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Adamawa State, highlighting its transformative impact on the state’s criminal justice system and its role in protecting human rights.
The ACJL was enacted in Adamawa State on December 10, 2018, as a response to longstanding challenges in the criminal justice system. It focuses on improving efficiency, ensuring fairness, and upholding the dignity of all individuals. The law is particularly designed to safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups and promote justice by addressing procedural inefficiencies and abuses within the system.
### Key Provisions of the ACJL
During the event, Barr. Lubna Dodo, a facilitator and legal expert, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the key features of the ACJL. She emphasized that the law is rooted in principles of justice and human dignity, aiming to reform outdated practices in the administration of criminal justice. Dodo highlighted several groundbreaking provisions of the ACJL, including:
1. Prohibition of Proxy Arrests: The law explicitly forbids arresting an individual in place of another, ensuring that only the person accused of a crime is apprehended.
2. Women as Sureties: The ACJL allows women to stand as sureties in legal proceedings, promoting gender equality in the justice system.
3. Respect for Human Dignity: Suspects must be treated with respect and dignity throughout the criminal justice process.
4. Recording of Statements: The law mandates the use of dedicated rooms for recording statements, enhancing transparency and reducing the risk of coercion or abuse.
5. Non-Custodial Sentencing: Alternatives to imprisonment, such as community service and probation, are introduced to reduce overcrowding in prisons and offer rehabilitative justice.
6. Legal Representation for Indigent Accused Persons: The law ensures that individuals unable to afford legal representation are provided free legal aid.
7. Enhanced Arrest Procedures: Law enforcement officers are required to inform suspects of the reasons for their arrest and record their biometric and physical information during the arrest process. This provision aims to improve accountability and transparency.
Barr. Dodo explained that these reforms are vital for ensuring justice, protecting citizens’ rights, and fostering trust between the public and law enforcement agencies.
Community Response
The program was well-received by members of the motor park community, including drivers, traders, and other stakeholders. Mallam Lawal Bala, a leader of the tipper drivers’ union, expressed gratitude to the Sultan Foundation for organizing the sensitization. He noted that the knowledge gained would empower community members to assert their rights and challenge abuses by law enforcement officers.
“There is no tipper driver that has not been abused in one way or the other by law enforcement agents,” Mallam Bala stated. “We shall henceforth stoutly defend our rights against violation by any security officer. Only truth, justice, and fair play will set us free.”
He also pledged to serve as an advocate for human rights within his community, committing to educate others and stand against injustice.
Accessibility of Information
To ensure the information reached a broad audience, flyers summarizing the key provisions of the ACJL were distributed in Hausa, the dominant language in the region. This effort aimed to make the law’s provisions more accessible and understandable to participants, many of whom might not be proficient in English.
Promoting Awareness and Justice
The sensitization program at Tashar Sani motor park is part of a broader initiative by the Sultan Foundation and RoLAC to raise awareness about legal rights and reforms in Adamawa State. By empowering citizens with knowledge about the ACJL, the organizations hope to foster a more just and equitable society where individuals can confidently engage with the criminal justice system without fear of abuse or discrimination.
The event underscored the importance of public awareness in driving societal change and promoting accountability among law enforcement agencies. It also highlighted the critical role of community leaders, like Mallam Bala, in championing the rights of citizens and fostering a culture of justice and fairness.
