To transform Nigeria’s justice system, the government has urged stakeholders to embrace restorative justice as an essential strategy for conflict resolution. This appeal, articulated by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, highlights the importance of shifting away from conventional punitive responses towards a framework that fosters healing, accountability, and reconciliation. This change is part of a wider initiative aimed at making the justice system more humane and promoting a legal environment in Nigeria that is both inclusive and empathetic.
During a two-day workshop aimed at informing facilitators about Restorative Justice implementation in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Fagbemi conveyed an important message. His ideas were presented by Mohammed Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecutions, who emphasised the crucial role of teamwork among legal experts, community leaders, and policymakers in embedding restorative approaches within the nation’s justice framework. Fagbemi expressed enthusiasm for the possibilities that restorative justice presents, but he also pointed out the obstacles they will face.
Underlying factors of criminal behaviour will be addressed.
Introducing this approach in the FCT will necessitate a profound change in perspective from both the stakeholders and the community. Individuals who are used to the conventional punitive justice system may resist this transition. The essence of the government’s communication is that restorative justice provides a chance to tackle the underlying factors of criminal behaviour, prioritising recovery for both victims and perpetrators instead of merely enforcing penalties. By highlighting conversation, responsibility, and restitution, this approach aims to encourage rehabilitation and enhance connections within the community.
This transcends being just a concept; it serves as a tangible method that adds humanity to the justice system by focusing on the requirements of individuals impacted by crime, victims, perpetrators, and the wider community. Its goal is to unite all involved parties to work together in discovering solutions that foster healing and restore relationships. This approach tackles the fundamental issues leading to crime and conflict instead of just penalising the surface effects. The government is convinced that cultivating a restorative Culture will enable the justice system to rehabilitate offenders and lower recidivism rates effectively. This strategy highlights the shared responsibility of all parties involved in achieving positive results.
Stakeholders should collaborate to improve justice comprehension.
Mrs. Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, the Director of the Administration of Criminal Justice and Reforms Department, emphasised the importance of the workshop. She highlighted that the event was created to unite stakeholders in order to improve their comprehension of restorative justice. The goal is to guarantee that it is applied effectively, in a coordinated manner, and produces meaningful results nationwide. Ayoola-Daniels observed that this presents a holistic method focused on healing instead of mere punishment. It involves offenders, victims, and the community in a significant manner, fostering accountability, restoration, and rehabilitation.
In Nigeria, Traditional institutions have historically been vital in resolving disputes, and their participation in restorative justice is deemed crucial. Etsu Luka Ayedoo, the traditional leader of Kwali, highlighted that the principles of restorative justice are strongly embedded in Nigeria’s cultural legacy, which aligns seamlessly with the nation’s judicial framework. Ayedoo stated that restorative justice represents their longstanding method of delivering justice. The system they see now has been adopted by them but is merely dressed up. Ayedoo suggested that establishing official routes for restorative justice would allow traditional institutions to collaborate with the standard justice system, resulting in more effective and harmonious conflict resolution.
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Prof. Muhammed Ladan, the former Director General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, emphasised the critical role of restorative justice in addressing significant challenges within the Nigerian legal framework. He argued that implementing restorative justice approaches could greatly diminish both the excessive backlog in court cases and the Overcrowding in correctional facilities. It is an emerging method focused on mending the damage inflicted by crime through collaborative efforts that engage all parties involved. The primary goal is to facilitate the healing of victims, reintegrate offenders as responsible members of society, and hold them accountable for their actions and the pain they have inflicted.