Speaking at the event at Government House Lokoja, the Director General of PDCRC, Barr. Abdullahi Zakari, said the commission set up the Human Rights Special Interventions Committee, and was inaugurated on October 15, 2020, on the directive of the Governor.

According to him, the committee was established to deal with matters arising out of the ENDSARS protests in 2020.

”Today, we are submitting the Kogi State report of its findings and then making appropriate recommendations to Government on what to do.

”We identified the immediate and remote causes of the protests and also made recommendations for the purposes of implementation.

”So that such occurrence will be minimised if not completely stopped in some other time,” he said.

According to Zakari, the committee entertained 12 petitions out of which six of them were life issues.

He explained that at the commission’s level, they were able to address some issues that were not too serious, made recommendations and people have gotten results.

He added that on the other six reports, there was a public hearing where people took ownership of their complaints, and the committee made their findings.

”In all, the recommendations would go a long way into resolving some of the issues that undermined the ENDSARS protests that swept across the country,” Zakari said.

In his response, the Governor commended the committee for a job well done, assuring that the State Government would look into the recommendations for implementation.

The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr Folashade Ayoade, promised to continue to give the necessary support to ensure that Kogi PDCRC is well positioned to deliver on its objectives.

He commended the commission for several civil and criminal cases and interventions it had handled and resolved across the state since it was established.

”I want to assure you that every recommendation therein will be well noted and carry out because of my strong believe in promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights,” he said.

Bello reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the residents and citizens of the state especially the indigents and vulnerable have access to justice free of charge.

The governor further restated his determination to ensure protection, promotion and enforcement of human rights across the state.

Earlier, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ibrahim Mohammed SAN, said Kogi PDCRC was a product of justice sector reforms established through the instrumentality of law.

He commended the commission for a job well done in putting up the ENDSARS report, assuring them of the State Government continuous support and without any interference in delivering their mandates.

Also speaking, the Kogi State Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Josiah Majebi, appreciated the Governor for his proactive-ness in ensuring that human rights are promoted, protected and enforced in the state without interference.

He assured the commission of the total support of the judiciary in its bid to deliver justice for the vulnerable and indigent residents and citizens of the state.

In his vote of thanks, the Committee Chairman, Barr. Ibrahim Alhassan, thanked the governor for creating the enabling environment for the committee to operate.

Alhassan further commended the DG Kogi PDCRC for a great job he is doing describing Zakari as a great asset to Kogi State Government

End

By Stephen Adeleye

The Kogi State Government Office of the Public Defender and Citizen’s Right Commission (PDCRC), has organised a two-day training workshop on capacity building for stakeholders in the area of access to justice and human rights and Strategic Plan for 2022 to 2026.

In his opening remarks on Friday in Lokoja, the Director General, Kogi PDCRC, Barr. Abdullahi Zakari, said the essence of the training was to build stakeholders’ capacity and develop Strategic Plan for 2022 to 2026 as Standing Order and Rules of Procedure for PDCRC.

According to Zakari, the stakeholders will produce documents that define the future of the Commission for the next four years and Standing Orders and Rules of procedure to guide and regulate the operations of the Commission.

He added that the goal was to strengthen the Commission to deliver on its mandates and to enable the stakeholders take ownership of the document for ease of implementation of the plans.

He noted that the documents were also required to position the commission to have a global flavour to attract international best practices and possible interventions.

He commended His Excellency, Governor Yahaya Bello, for all that he has done toward ensuring that the Commission performs its functions optimally and efficiently, without any interference.

Zakari also appreciated the Hon. Attorney General and State’s Commissioner for Justice, Hon. Ibrahim Sanni Mohammed SAN, for his commitment to ensuring that the Commission get all the needed support and encouragement. He said that the Hon Attorney is zealously nursing the growth of Commission in all fronts.

He disclosed that the commission had between 2020 and 2021, handled 25 cases in High Court, out of which 12 cases had been successfully concluded to inmates who are indigent and who could not afford the service a Lawyer free of Charge.

Zakari added that the Commission had also received 12 cases in 2022 which were presently at various stages of conclusion across the three senatorial districts of the state.

He, therefore urged the participants to be dispassionate in their participation and be committed as much as possible in order to achieve the desired goals.

The DG further called on the general public to report any act of violations relating to human rights or domestic violence to the commission’s office at the state’s Secretariat.

On his part, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ibrahim Mohammed SAN, said Kogi PDCRC was a product of justice sector reforms and was established in 2019, through the instrumentality of law.

According to Mohammed, PDCRC is an agency of Kogi State Government with the mandate to render free legal services in criminal and civil cases to the indigent and vulnerable residents of the state.

Represented by Mr Badama Kadiri, the Director Public Prosecution, Kogi Ministry of Justice, Mohammed said PDCRC was also saddled with responsibility of ensuring the promotion, protection and enforcement of human rights at the state level.

He commended the Governor for making all the necessary provisions to ensure that the commission performed its functions efficiently and independently.

The Attorney General stressed that the training workshop further demonstrated the Governor’s commitment to have a formidable and efficient institution repositioned to deliver on its core mandates in ensuring access to justice for the indigent and vulnerable, and protection of human rights of Kogi residents.

He commended the PDCRC for doing exceedingly well in delivering its mandates, which according to him, is viable for all to see.

He assured that the government would continue to give the necessary support to the commission to enhance its success, and wished the participants a fruitful deliberations.

Also speaking, the Chairman, PDCRC Governing Council: Muizideen Abdullahi Esq., said a healthy justice sector was key to the development of any nation.

He, therefore congratulated the participants for being part of history, and appealed to them to give their maximum cooperation and contributions in order to have a fruitful celebrations at the end of the program.

End

The Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC), Kogi State, has solicited the support of the State Broadcasting Corporation for the promotion, protection and enforcement of fundamental human rights of residents of the state.

The Director General of Kogi PDCRC, Barr. Abdullahi Zakari, made the request when he led a team of lawyers from the Commission to an advocacy visit to the office of Director General of Kogi Broadcasting Corporation, Alh. Hassan Ojo Oyila, on Friday in Lokoja.

Zakari said that the visit was to seek collaboration with the media corporation in the area of public enlightenment and sensitisation about PDCRC’s activities in the state.

Zakari noted that the Governor, signed into law, the bill establishing Kogi PDCRC Law, 2018, on 3rd June, 2019, giving meaning to access to justice as a key instrument in the enforcement of human rights in Kogi State.

According to Zakari, the PDCRC provides free legal aid and representations in civil and criminal matters in all Courts, and other related services to indigent and vulnerable residents of Kogi, who could not afford the service of legal practitioners.

He added that the commission also promote, protect and ensuring the enforcement of human rights for Kogi residents guaranteed under Chapter Four (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended).

He noted that the commission effectively commenced operations in October, 2019, and in spite the overwhelming challenges, had made modest achievements that had impacted immensely in the lives of Kogi residents as far as fundamental human rights are concerned.

He, therefore urged the corporation to create an airtime between 30 to 45 minutes on its radio stations, to enable the commission reachout to the general public and sensitise them about PDCRC’s activities.

He also urged the broadcasting corporation to continue to give extensive coverage to the commission’s programmes and activities, stressing the importance of working together as state government’s agencies.

Zakari further commended Kogi Commissioner for Information and Communcations, Mr Kingsley Fanwo, for his strong support for the commission, and urged him to do more.

In his response, the Director General of Kogi Broadcasting Corporation, Alh. Hassan Ojo Oyila, commended PDCRC for the selfless task to protect the rights and privileges of the citizens without discrimination to the admiration of all.

Oyila described Kogi broadcasting corporation as a public spirited one saddled with the responsibility of disseminated genuine, undiluted and unifying information to the public.

”We shall extend our services to your body in your efforts and activities to defend and protect civic and legitimate rights of the less privileged and the entire general public.

”Our doors and windows of opportunity are widely opened to your body, to protect and popularise your activities to the benefit of all.

”Therefore, you request for airtime is approved, and we are going to start with 30 minutes, so that you can tell the public the enormous responsibilities you are discharging to the citizens of Kogi State”, Oyila said.

Oyila further assured that the corporation would also produce jingles using the flyers of the commission that would be run from time to time on their radion stations to inform the public about the PDCRC’s services and location.

He also commended the Governor and the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ibrahim Sanni Muhammed SAN, for the establishment of PDCRC and the immense transformation in the state justice sector.

In his vote of thanks, Barr. Idris Onogo, on behalf of the commission, thanked the director general of the corporation for receiving them despite his tight schedule, and granting their request.

The highlight of the visit was the presentation of the copies of PDCRC’s public enlightenment flyers to the director general of the corporation, by Barr. Zakari on behalf of his team.

END

The Kogi State Government on Thursday commissioned an exquisitely furnished office with basic modern office equipment for the State Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission, (PDCRC), to create a conducive environment for effective delivery of its mandates.

The State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ibrahim Sanni Muhammed SAN, who commissioned the office at the State’s Secretariat in Lokoja, commended the Governor for his commitment to promoting, protecting and enforcement of human rights in the state.

Mohammed also commended the DG of PDCRC for his commitment and efforts for going the extra mile to ensuring a befitting office accommodation for the Commission in spite the little available resources.

He further applauded the DG for the successes the PDCRC had recorded since its establishment and for working in tandem with its mandates.

According to him, the testimonies we have heard today confirmed that the Commission has done very well with limited resources.

The Attorney General assured the commitment of the State Government to ensuring that the commission continue to be independent without any form of interference in achieving its mandates.

He appreciated all the relevant stakeholders especially the security agencies for their support for the Commission and urged them to sustained the gesture.

He stressed the need for the general public especially the less privileged to be sensitised and be aware of the Commission’s activities.

He thanked His Excellency Alhaji Professor Yahaya Bello for his commitment to human rights, and for providing the enabling working environment for the Commission to take-off seamlessly.

”This is highly commendable, and we are very grateful to His Excellency for this initiative and his tremendous support”, he said.

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the DG of Kogi PDCRC, Barr. Abdullahi Zakari, noted that the Governor, signed into law, the bill establishing Kogi PDCRC Law, 2018, on 3rd June, 2019, giving meaning to access to justice as a key instrument in the enforcement of human rights in Kogi State.

”According to him, the PDCRC responsibility is to provide free legal aid and representations in civil and criminal matters in all Courts, and other related services to the indigent, less privileged and vulnerable residents of Kogi, who could not afford the service of legal practitioners.

He added that the commission also has the responsibility to promote, protect and ensuring the enforcement of human rights of residents of Kogi State guaranteed under Chapter Four (4) of 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As amended).

He said that the commission effectively commenced operations in October, 2019, and had in the short span of its existence in spite the overwhelming challenges, made some modest achievements, such as massive awareness campaigns through visit to critical stakeholders in the administration of justice sector.

He added that the Commission had made Legal Representation in High Courts and other courts in the State. Stating that so far, of the over 25 cases being handled by the Commission, seven (7) have been concluded, while others were still ongoing.

He added: ”Kogi State was about the first State in Nigeria to establish Human Rights Special Intervention group (HRSIG) to receive and rapidly respond to complaints of brutality by law enforcement officers in the wake of the then nationwide EndSars Protest.
”
Zakari further emphasised that a Critical Reforms in the Justice Sector had taken place in the State, under the leadership of the Hon Ibrahim Sanni Muhammed SAN, part of which was the establishment of PDCRC. All the reforms are quite impactful on effective delivery of Justice.

He added that the Commission was full of huge expectations in its desire and determination to work towards ensuring that human rights of Kogi residents were promoted, protected and enforced.

He stressed that the Commission had enjoyed independence in carrying out its mandates without any form of interference from government organs or individuals.

”The state is much more prepared than any other time to ensuring that residents’ rights are promoted, protected and enforced”.

He stressed that the huge commitment of ‘His Excellency, Alh Yahaya Bello, had only challenged them to do better, saying ”when our working environment is conducive, then our productive will definitely increase.

”Our lawyers will continue to get trained both local and international training to improving effective service delivery on our mandates”..

In his vote of thanks, the Chairman Governing Council of PDCRC, Muizideen Yoonus Abdullahi, thanked the Governor for his decision to establish the Commission, which was backed up by law.

He further commenced the security agencies for ensuring safety of the lives and property of the people of Kogi State, and for their support for the Commission since its establishment.

He thanked the security agencies for ensuring safety of the lives and property of the people of Kogi State, and for their support for the Commission since its establishment.

Other stakeholders at the meeting were: the DSS, NSCDC, POLICE, NBA, Kogi Chief Judge, Solicitor General, Women Affairs Ministry, Legal Aid Commission, FIDA, among others.

In their goodwill messages, the stakeholders commended the Governor for the establishment of the Commission, while assuring the DG of their full support in ensuring the promotion and enforcement of human rights in Kogi State.

End

The Kogi State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission (PDCRC), has urged relevant stakeholders in the administration of justice to prevent violent extremism and protect enforcement of fundamental human rights in the state.

The Director General of PDCRC, Barr. Abdullahi Zakari, made the call the on Wednesday in Lokoja, at a two-day training for Lawyers, Law Enforcement Officers and Social Welfare Workers, orgsnised by Kogi PDCRC in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria.

Zakari noted that the theme of the training, ”Providing Enabling Environment For The Prevention Of Violent Extremism And The Role of Public Defender’, was aimed to strengthen’ promote, protect and enforce human rights in Kogi.

He enjoined the participants to ensure promotion and protection of human rights, and work towards protecting the people especially the indigents, less privilege, disabilities and the vulnerable in the state,

The director general assured that the good people of Kogi would continue to have direct access to justice especially the indigents, vulnerable, poor and the less privilege, who cannot afford the services of a lawyer.

Zakari stressed that the establishment of Kogi PDCRC was a strong commitment on the part of Gov. Yahaya Bello, to see that the ordinary citizens of this state have access to justice through proper legal representation.

Zakari said the commission in the short span of its existence, had made some modest achievements, such as prison decongestion, massive awareness campaigns through visit to critical stakeholders in the administration of justice sector, among others.

He added that it was a continuous process and emphasised the need for all hands to be on deck to do the right things at the right time.

Also speaking, the Kogi State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ibrahim Sanni Muhammed SAN, said the State Government was committed to ensuring that citizens have access to justice especially the less privilege.

He said that Kogi was among the first set of States that enacted Administration of Criminal Justice Law, for speedy dispensation of criminal justice in the state.

‘He added that the establishment of Kogi PDCRC was a further demonstration of the state government to the value of access to justice, particularly for the less privilege.

He noted that as a fall out of the ENDSARS Protests Kogi was the first State to establish a Human Rights Special Intervention Group (HRSIG) under PDCRC, to receive and rapidly resolve complaints bordering of brutality by law enforcement agencies.

Muhammed, who was represented by Mrs Hawa Yusufu, the State’s Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Kogi Ministry of Justice, emphasised that Kogi had done a lot in strengthening the enforcement of human rights laws in the state.

He assured that Kogi Government would continue to work hard to scale up the capacity of human resource, particularly the lawyers and other relevant stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice sector.

On his part, Mr Anicetus Atakpu, the Resilience Programme Coordinator, ActionAid Nigeria, commended Kogi State Government for the establishment of PDCRC, aimed at promoting, protecting and enforcing human rights in the state.

He stressed that ActionAid was happy with the steps Kogi Government had taken in ensuring enforcement of human rights, hence the need to partner with PDCRC to train the relevant stakeholders in the sector.

According to Atakpu, no fewer than 60 participants are participating in the seminar which comprised of Lawyers, selected from PDCRC, Legal Aid Council, MoJ, NBA, Magistrates; Police, DSS, NSCDC, officials of Correctional Centre, among others.

Atakpu assured that ActionAid would continue to support and encourage Kogi PDCRC to strengthening the enforcement of fundamental human rights in the state.

One of participants, Ajuma Lilian Okolo, the Chairperson of FIDA in Kogi, commended the PDCRC and ActionAid for the partnership, saying it would go a long way to impacting the lives of the people especially the underserved.

End

The Kogi State Government through the Office of the Public Defender and Citizens Rights Commission, (PDCRC), has secured the release of one Mr Unekwu Abah and another, Mr Solomon Abuh, who were standing trials separately for the offences of murder and manslaughter respectively.

A legal team from PDCRC led by its Director General, Barr. Abdullahi Zakari, secured the freedom of both Abah and Abuh in their separate trials after been discharged and acquitted by the trial Judge of the High Court of Justice, Okpo, Kogi State.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after the judgement on Friday in Okpo, the DG of PDCRC, Barr. Zakari, said it was tears of humanity and joy unspeakable as both Abah and Abuh regained their freedom.

Zakari noted that, Unekwu Abah, if convicted would have been sentenced to death, while Solomon Abuh would have gone for life imprisonment as provided in the penal provisions for which they were tried.

According to Zakari, both were incarcerated at Custodial Centre Ankpa (Prisons) for over a year pending trial and conclusion of their separate cases. Their stories are pathetic as their accusers never showed up all through the course of trial to press the charges against them.

”The inability to afford the services of a lawyer to handle their defence, partly explained the restriction of their liberty while on the awaiting trial inmates list of the Custodial Centre.

”Their indigency resulting in their inability to engage and pay for the services of a Lawyer was what drawn the attention of the presiding Judge, Hon Justice Husseini to request the Office of Kogi Public Defender and Citizens’ Rights Commission, PDCRC to take up the defence of Abah and Abuh in their separate trials.

”After barely two months of trial, the Director General with his team of law officers, on the 16th December, 2020 the Judge held that the prosecution have failed in the two separate cases to establish the guilt of the defendants beyond reasonable doubt. The Court held that the failure of prosecution to secure the appearance of their accusers, who are vital and material witnesses, to come to Court to proof the charges against the Defendants was fatal.

”It was great joy my colleagues and I, as we accompanied Unekwu Abah and Solomon Abuh (both from different places) from Ankpa Custodial Centre after packing their belongings to enjoy freedom, breathe Nigeria free air, reunite with their families and to eat food of their choice grown on Nigeria soil.

”To my colleagues and I, it is all tears of humanity and joy unspeakable”, Zakari said.

He stressed that as a legal practitioner, it was not the victory or the loss of cases that throws one into a frenzy that he had lived with, for about two decades of his call to practice law.

He noted that this particular judgement was only so very special to his heart having regard to the facts of the cases, the tearful stories of Abah and Abuh the fact that there are a thousands of them in our criminal justice stream and his recent appointment as Director General of PDCRC with a mandate to project the indigents, represent their interest, provide free legal aid and protect the Human Rights of residents of Kogi State; It is a life of joy to me and my team.

”We are forever grateful to Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State and the Hon Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Hon Ibrahim Sanni Muhammed SAN, who saw the importance of establishing the Commission and deemed us worthy to serve as Pioneer DG and Law Officers to serve at the Commission”, Zakari said.

Responding to the gesture by PDCRC, Unekwu Abah and Solomon Abuh, expressed their gratitude to Gov. Yahaya Bello and the Commission, saying they were full of great excitement.

Abah said he was extremely happy and thankful to PDCRC for coming to take his defence and took him out of the prison after spending one year.

He noted that he had no parents and nobody could be of any help to him from his family, while expressing his profound appreciation to DG and his lawyers who saved him without paying a single kobo for their services.

On his part, Solomon Abuh, a father of four boys, said he was full of joy and appreciation to the DG and his team for walking him into freedom after spending almost a year in custody on a completely false accusation.

”I did not spend a single kobo to the lawyers that undertook my defence. I pray God to bless and reward them”, Abuh said.

End

Kogi State Government, has inaugurated 10-man Human Rights Special Intervention Group (HRSIG) committee, to help respond to the legal needs of victims of human right abuse to enable them have access to justice.

The Director General, Office of the Public Defender and Citizens Rights Commission (PDCRC) in Kogi, Abdullahi Zakari, who inaugurated the committee in Lokoja, noted that the inauguration was against the persistence violations of the rights of Kogi residents and the inability of the vulnerables to access justice.

According to Zakari, the committee inauguration is a timely response by the pro youth and pro poor Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to ensuring that human rights of residents and citizens of the state is secured.

He explained that due to the #EndSars protest, the governor identified with the youth and promised to set up a special Committee to handle the brutality of the law enforcement officers, which culminated this inauguration.

He noted that the committee members were drawn relevant agencies based on their track records, and urged them to consider their service as to God and humanity.

He enjoined them to respond to issues of domestic violence and abuses directly arises from Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution and all other issues pertaining to violation of the fundamental human rights of residents in the state.

He added that the committee would respond to illegal arrest and detention by law enforcement officers, and submit monthly report to PDCRC; and to carry out assignments that may be assigned from time to time by the commission.

He noted that the committee was constituted on the instruction of the governor to operate under the Office of the PDCRC.

He added that PDCRC was established on June 3, 2019 to respond to needs of access to justice by indigents and ensuring the protection of their human rights.

Zakari explained that the Commission’s mandate is to provide legal services for those who could not afford the cost of hiring lawyers , and to protect citizenry against the brutality and infringement of human rights by law enforcement agencies.

Hecommended the governor for his quick response to the yearnings of the populace as he undertook sweeping reforms of the criminal justice system.

He noted that the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Hon.Ibrahim Sani Mohammed SAN, had been in the forefront of many great reforms in Criminal Justice sector.

He added: ”It is one of the reforms of the attorney general that led to the establishment of PDCRC.

”Kogi State is one of the very few states that has PDCRC to response to the need of access to justice as a critical function of Government.

”The law is to address among other things; the delay in dispensation of cases, provide legal representation for those who couldn’t afford the services of lawyers while being interrogated by law enforcement officers”.

He applauded the governor for his concern for the lawyers who he said were enjoying special salaries like their counterparts in the Magistrates in the State.

He disclosed that the Commission plays roles akin to Legal Aid Council, and the National Human rights Commission. Presently, the Commission is staffed by 12 law officers posted from the Chambers of the Hon Attorney General.

On his part, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Commission, Muizideen Abdullahi charged members of the HRSIG to stand up to the challenges, to treat the assignment with all the attention it deserved, saying, it was a call to service to serve humanity.

He commended the Governor, for being proactive in responding to the ongoing protest on EndSARS before it degenerates into lawlessness, while assuring the members of the committee of Government’s support to enable its succeed.

Members of the committee include: I.O. Alhassan, Chairman; Isaac Adeiza, Secretary. Other members were Iye Adama, DSC Atodo Adama , Asp Mohammed Bala.; M.M Nuhu, Debora Ebiloma and Olarenwaju Atoto.

The members of the Committee are drawn from The Police, DSS, Civil Defence Corps, National Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Justice, NBA, and Office of PDCRC.

In his acceptance speech, the Committee Chairman, Ibrahim Alhassan who doubles as the Vice Chairman of NBA Lokoja branch, assured of his commitment to ensuring the delivery of the mandate to the best of their abilities.

In their separate remarks, representatives of the Attorney General of the State, Police, ActionAid , DSS, NSCDC, NHRC, FIDA commended the Government for the initiative, assuring their readiness to support the course of Justice.

They charged members to exhibit highest character in the discharge of their mandate.

End

Lokoja, July 27, 2020

The Kogi Government through the Ministry of Justice has established the State Office of the Public Defender and Citizens’ Right Commission (PDCRC), to provide legal aid and other related services free of charge to citizens who may not be able to afford the services of lawyers.

The Director General of PDCRC, Barr. Abdullahi Zakari, disclosed this when he led a team of lawyers from the Commission in an advocacy visit to some stakeholders in the state.

The stakeholders visited included: the State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Peter Maigari; State Commissioner of Police, CP Ede Ekpeji; Nigerian Correctional Service, Kogi Command, CC. Abubakar Gurim; and the Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Barr. Sam Owoyomi.

Zakari also added that the State Government had employed 150 lawyers for adequate manpower to enhance the speedy administration of criminal justice law across the state.

Zakari noted that the bill establishing the Commission was signed into law by His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello, on June, 3, 2019, saying its vision is to ensure that justice sector in the state was reformed and better for it with speedy dispensation of justice.

He added that the Commission has power to investigate and make recommendations, prison decongestion, and also ensure the protection of the fundamental human rights of residents of the state.

He commended the state’s governor for his commitment and political will in ensuring justice for all citizens, while extolling the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the State, Mr Sani Mohammed SAN, for the critical transformation he has brought to the sector most n the last four years.

The director general stressed that the purpose of the visit was to introduce the Commission and her activities to the relevant stakeholders with the view to seek their cooperation and synergy to bridge the gaps in the administration of justice in the state.

He, therefore, called for effective partnership from all the relevant stakeholders in terms of support and awareness to ensure that the residents of the state have direct access to justice irrespective of tribes, religion or affiliation.

”Providing access to justice is a core responsibility of any government globally, but we will need the support and active collaboration of the relevant stakeholders,” Zakari said.

He emphasized that the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJl), the employment of more Law Officers and the establishment of PDCRC was to demonstrate His Excellency, Gov. Yahaya Bello’s commitment to the Justice Sector reforms, and commened the State’s Attorney General for driving the reforms.

In their separate responses, all the heads of the various stakeholders visited, commended the State Government and the Ministry of Justice for the gesture, saying it would make the residents of the state to have access to justice especially the downtrodden.

The stakeholders futher assured the state government of their readiness to collaborate and synergise with the Commission in their various capacities in achieving its goals.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ede Ekpeji, however, enjoined the commission to also ensure that perpetual criminals are prosecuted and put out of circulation, for the safety of the society.

End