Lagos State Government in collaboration with National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), Colorado, USA and Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) has organised a five-day intensive training on Plea-Bargaining and Child Justice System as part of efforts to improve the understanding and performance of lawyers within and outside the courtroom while serving citizens of Lagos State and Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at the Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Surulere, Lagos, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, said that Plea Bargaining and Child Justice System are critical to fair and speedy dispensation of Justice, court de-congestion and to the overall justice delivery system in Nigeria, particular in Lagos State.
According to him, “This is also in line with the policy of Lagos State Government under the able leadership of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode that all persons irrespective of means must have equal access to justice, thus fostering Rule of Law and societal development”.
He stated that in many jurisdictions, plea bargaining has served as an important and useful tool used to keep the wheels of justice moving in a timely and cost-effective manner, saying that plea bargaining theory has been part of criminal justice system for over a decade in Lagos State, yet its applicability has been poorly utilised by lawyers.
The Commissioner for Justice further explained that another aspect of the week-long training would focus on Child Justice System mainly guided by the Child Rights Law of Lagos State, 2015, noting that the law makes adequate provisions to ensure that child justice matters are managed in a rights-based manner to assist children (under the age of 18 years) suspected of committing crimes to have a second chance in life and become productive members of society.
He also disclosed that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions now has a Sexual Offences and Child Justice Unit that monitors cases involving child offenders and ensures that recommendations are made where necessary, stressing that plans are underway to unveil the Restorative Justice Project soonest.
In the same vein, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke said that the theme of the training “Plea Bargaining and Child Justice System” are germane in Criminal Justice system, noting that the importance of regular training programmes cannot be overemphasised as they keep the sword sharpened and the mind alive.
Justice Oke explained that the plea bargaining system is gradually gaining ground in Nigeria as it has become very famous in the legal and socio-political lexicon today.
In her words, “Arguably, since its incorporation as a feature of our Criminal Justice Administration, it has proven to be a useful tool in aiding criminal justice administration and has also curtailed undue delays in the dispensation of criminal justice. A considerable number of high profile cases prosecuted by anti-graft agencies have been concluded using the plea bargaining tool which, to my mind, is a form of criminal justice package on its own”.
“In the United States where it is deeply entrenched, the Columbia Law Review reports that about 90% of the criminal defendants convicted in State and Federal Courts plead guilty rather than exercise their right to stand trial before a Court or Jury. There has been a lot of debate in Nigeria on the constitutionality or otherwise of Plea Bargaining”, she stated.
Justice Opeyemi Oke said that the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in Lagos State has lent its hands in a push towards the adoption of the concept of plea bargaining as an accepted procedure in criminal proceedings, stressing that Section 75 and 76 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State has firmly entrenched Plea Bargaining into its Criminal Justice System.
“It is here to stay and it gladdens my heart that we are here to partake of the wealth of knowledge and experience from our fellow Judges in the United States, our Judges and others”, Oke said.
During the week-long training programme, 20 International and Local Trainers will engage over 80 participants including Judges, Magistrates, Senior Police Officers and Counsel among others.
