The DFID-funded Justice for All (J4A) Programme implemented in partnership with PRAWA began working with the government and non-government actors of Abuja in 2012 to speed up Criminal Justice delivery in the Federal Capital Territory. The aim of the intervention is to identify root causes of delays in the criminal justice system (CJS) and support the development and implementation of cross-sector solutions, involving state actors (police, ministry of justice, prisons, judiciary, legislature, etc.) and non-state actors (civil society organizations; traditional rulers, etc.). One of such solutions is the “Enhancing Diligent and High Quality Prosecution” project.

 In the course of the project, guidance materials on investigation and prosecution were developed with contributions from various CJS stakeholders in the FCT. Furthermore, on 3rd April 2014, at Grand Ibro Hotel Annex, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja FCT a Stakeholders’ Conference was organized to analyze the impact of the Guidance Materials on Investigation and Prosecution processes as well as to encourage its adoption and replication by other agencies.

 In attendance were representatives from the following institutions: FCT Judiciary which was represented by five Honorable  Judges of the FCT High Court and  Magistrates; National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking In Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS), National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

 At the conference, the Legal Aid Council noted that one of the achievements of the project included the provision of financial support for the transportation of lawyers to court.

 This encouraged the Council agency’s ability to handle its increased caseload of to about 500 cases as opposed to the former 300 cases. In addition to this, participants highlighted the importance of creating a good synergy with prosecutors and investigators as well as collaboration amongst criminal justice institutions to help achieve the desired goal in the justice sector.

 Many of the institutions who participated in the various trainings conducted for investigators and prosecutors under the project noted that their skills and consequently, their confidence on the job have greatly improved. The conference was concluded on the noted that beneficiaries of the project would apply the acquired knowledge within their various institutions. Investigators were enjoined to ensure they do a robust work in gathering sufficient evidence before arrests are made in any criminal case.

 Prosecution and investigation managers were also encouraged to put in place appropriate reporting systems to facilitate accountability on the part of their subordinates.

 From the right: Mr. Godwin Odo, Component Manager J4A; Dr. Uju Agomoh, Executive Director PRAWA; representative of ICPC, representative of the Judiciary, Controller of Prisons FCT Command, and Mr. Shuaibu Oputu, Director of Legal NAPTIP.