October 21, (THEWILL) — The Centre for Law Enforcement Education in Nigeria (CLEEN) Foundation has called for increased budgetary allocation to strengthen the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day capacity-building workshop in Uyo, Acting Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, Mr Peter Maduoma, said poor budgeting and inadequate funding of statutory bodies such as the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) remain major setbacks to the effective enforcement of the law enacted in 2022.
He noted that the workshop aims to bridge gaps in resource allocation, institutional funding, skills development and inter-agency coordination required for a more transparent and rights-based criminal justice system.
“Without adequate budgetary support, key agencies responsible for enforcing and monitoring the ACJL cannot function optimally. This workshop is designed to help stakeholders develop strategies for proper resource planning, budgeting and implementation”, Maduoma said.
According to him, since the passage of the ACJL in the state, limited funding, insufficient resources for monitoring institutions and capacity gaps among justice sector actors, have hindered full implementation.
Funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the programme forms part of a national project titled “Strengthening Rights-Based Approach to ACJA Frameworks and Advancing Women, Peace and Security in Nigeria”, being implemented in 12 states, including Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Kaduna, Enugu, Ekiti, Plateau and Cross River.
Maduoma said the training will equip participants from the police, judiciary, correctional service and other agencies with technical skills to apply the law, monitor compliance and address issues such as trial delays, custodial congestion and rights abuses.
Participants are expected to develop actionable recommendations for improved budgeting, funding, coordination and accountability in criminal justice administration across the state.
