By Deborah Adekaa

The Justice And Rights Initiative (JRI) in Collaboration with the Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS) has called on the Benue State Government and other key stakeholders to ensure a total and complete implementation of the Administration Of Criminal Justice Law( ACJL )in the state.
Addressing a press conference in Makurdi, the Acting Executive Director of Justice And Rights Initiative (JRI), Solomon Torluam  said the Benue state government must domesticate  the Administration Of Criminal Justice Law in the state.

According to him,  Justice And Rights Initiative in partnership with Human Rights Law Service (HURILAWS) have over the years led advocacy for the domestication of the law by the Benue State law.

He said with the passage of the ACJL in the state both organisations have continued to engage with relevant authorities in promoting awareness and enhancing effective implementation of the ACJL in the state.

Barrister Torluam stated that although the law was enacted in 2019, the key players saddled with the responsibility of assessing, monitoring and ensuring implementation is not active as a result of poor funding.

He said majority of the provisions of the ACJL, 2019 are yet to be implemented by the stakeholders involved, noting that the Nigerian Correctional Service in Benue State for instance lacks major facilities like Community Service Centres, Rehabilitation Facilities, a Functional Parole Board or Committee and lack  proper funding.

Barrister Torluam said engaging the Media on the implementation of the Administration Of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) is important in order to achieve the overall objectives for which it was enacted.

He said Media engagement can help educate the public and stakeholders about the provisions and objectives of ACJL, promoting awareness of their rights and the change in legal procedures.

He noted that the Media presence plays a vital role in shaping public opinion. Engaging with them can facilitate discussions on the laws effectiveness, highlight successes, challenges and gather community feedback, adding that media engagement can  serve as a conduit for public feedback, helping authorities understand the impact of the ACJL on the community and make adjustments base on real experiences.

Also speaking, the Head of Human Rights Education and Promotion at National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Mr Desmond Jinge stressed the need for effective Media presentation and awareness creation to make sure the public knows their rights.