Reforms: ActionAid, others launch coalition for judicial independence, accountability

  The ActionAid of Nigeria (AAN) and other partners have launched the Coalition for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (COJAR) as part of efforts towards fostering a more accountable, transparent and independent judiciary in the country. The Deputy Country Director as well as Director of Programmes of ActionAid Nigeria, Hajiya Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo said the establishment […]

 

The ActionAid of Nigeria (AAN) and other partners have launched the Coalition for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (COJAR) as part of efforts towards fostering a more accountable, transparent and independent judiciary in the country.

The Deputy Country Director as well as Director of Programmes of ActionAid Nigeria, Hajiya Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo said the establishment of COJAR, under the CLEAP Justice project of ActionAid was designed to unite stakeholders and civil society who are collectively working to advance judicial accountability and drive systemic reforms within Nigeria’s justice system.

The COJAR under the CLEAP Justice Project, a Ford Foundation-funded initiative is focused on promoting accountability in post-election justice delivery.

The COJAR aims to strengthen collaboration among civil society actors to advocate for judicial reforms, drive citizen engagement, and influence policies that uphold transparency and justice within Nigeria’s judicial system.

“Our goal is not only to convene but to converge, merging our voices, expertise, and advocacy to strengthen judicial independence in Nigeria.

“If we don’t get our election right, quality leadership will become an issue”, she said and called for all hands to be on deck in building a resilient and responsive justice system that will truly serve the people,” Dankabo said.

The ActionAid top official urged COJAR to evolve recommendations on how to collectively mobilize citizens, citizens groups and movements to demand reinforced systems that will guarantee judicial independence and integrity.

“Judiciary is a sacred institution, a pillar of democracy and the last hope of the common man. Yet, recent events have cast a shadow over its credibility and transparency. If this institution falters, what then becomes of that hope?” She said.

Dankabo called for collaborative and deliberate efforts to restore faith in the judiciary of the country and ensure its true independence and added that, ActionAid which have been working in Nigeria to combat poverty and injustice for more than two decades is currently implementing the Citizens Led Engagements on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP Justice), a citizen-centered and citizen-driven intervention aimed at promoting judicial accountability.

Also speaking, the Project Coordinator of the CLEAP Justice governance of the ActionAid, Adesuwa Iluobe said the project is set out to achieve a more accountable post-election justice dispensation in Nigeria through citizens’ action.

She said the capacity of 68,497 citizens was built directly and indirectly on judicial and electoral system and judicial Accountability by the ActionAid Nigeria.

On her part, Judith Gbagidi, the governance specialist ActionAid said, the organization engage with the public to develop judicial accountability as it believes in evidence based visibility.

She said that citizens need to be adequately informed on what they expect from the judiciary through proper understanding of the provisions of the Constitution and other enabling laws.