Kaduna State Government in collaboration with the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law-HIIL have launched the State Justice Transformation Strategy Document aimed at reforming the justice sector.
Deputy Governor of the State, Dr Hadiza Balarabe at the event at government House Kaduna, said the launching of the strategy Document affirmed the commitment of the State Government to building and nurturing an efficient justice sector in the state.
According to Dr Balarabe, Justice is a pillar of civilisation, a palladium of liberty, and a guarantee of due process.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe acknowledged the efforts and extensive work of all stakeholders involved in developing the Strategy Document.
She said Kaduna State Justice Policy and the reforms undertaken so far reflect the ideals the Hague Institute for Innovation of Law promotes, especially people-centered justice.
“I am delighted to launch this Strategy Document, and I assure you that we look forward to implementing the recommended strategies. Thank you for listening”.
Dr Balarabe explained that, every responsible government is invested in the imperative of a strong legal framework, with effective and efficient institutions.
“Since its assumption of office in 2015, the El-Rufai government has anchored its reform agenda on many new laws and a few new agencies.
Many legislations have been extensively and painstaking reviewed and outmoded laws repealed”
“New laws have been enacted to reflect current realities, contemporary concerns and best practices. These laws effectively regulate several subject matters such as crime, corruption, land use, and taxation, among others”.
Dr Hadiza Balarabe pointed out that, the laws also help in enhancing the capacity of various agencies to improve service delivery.
“Our desire for and steady pursuit of a vibrant and functional justice system led to the domestication of the Justice Policy in 2018”
“That policy document identified fourteen themes, thematic challenges and strategic interventions. It serves as a roadmap for ongoing reforms over the past five years. Key areas of reforms include a review of the legal framework and the strengthening of associated institutions”
“In 2017, Kaduna became the first State in the North to domesticate the Administration of Criminal Justice Law which repealed the Criminal Procedure Code used throughout Northern Nigeria. We also enacted a model Penal Code Law, in furtherance of agreements among the northern states regarding the desirability of such a step
“The Centers serves as a one stop shop providing psycho-social counseling, forensic examination, medical treatment and legal services for victims of sexual assault. All these reform interventions are designed to improve the quality of justice and reduce the barriers to service delivery”.
While interpreting what the strategy document means, the Chief Registrar, High Court of Justice, Kaduna State, Murtala Zubairu said the stakeholders would look at the possible ways of implementing prioritised points of the document strategically.
“Already, we have taken steps where we established small claims court which is a court you can go and resolve simple commercial disputes or liquidated demands within one day (minimum) and 60 days (maximum)”, he explained.
Deputy Chief of Staff, Legislative and Legal Matters, office of the Governor, Kaduna State, Chris A Umar explained that the whole concept behind the document is to improve people-centered justice in the state.
“HIIL had in 2018 conducted a study in Nigeria and Kaduna was one of the states where the study was carried out. With several engagements around this, the 60-page strategy document is now ready to look at the prioritised needs that people encounter most often which are money disputes, police reform and crime”.
AMINU DALHATU