By Abimbola Joseph
CITIZENS COMPASS— The Lagos State Ministry of Justice, in partnership with the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) programme, on Wednesday, sensitised Ikorodu stakeholders on adopting the Restorative Justice System to resolve minor offences.
Addressing participants, Mrs Adeshola Adekunle-Bello, Head of the Restorative Centre, said effective criminal justice administration was essential for public safety, protection of individual rights, and maintaining a fair, orderly society.
She urged stakeholders to embrace the process, describing it as a mechanism enabling offenders and victims to resolve matters amicably without a full criminal trial, thereby easing court congestion.
According to her, the initiative encourages offenders to admit guilt, take responsibility, and provides alternatives to incarceration for minor offences.
“Restorative justice is a new programme for Lagos State in the administration of the criminal justice system.
“All over Nigeria, the administration of criminal justice is very key and very important.
“We always hear news of many people rotting in jail and cases being slowed down for one reason or the other, that is why the government has come up with this programme,” she said.
In her remarks, Mrs Ajibola Ijimakinwa, ROLAC Coordinator, urged the government to invest more funds to expand the programme across the state.
She also called on the Lagos State Government (LASG) to strengthen existing collaboration among justice institutions and increase the number of restorative justice centres.
She said ROLAC is funded by the European Union and implemented by International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) to raise awareness and promote the practice and support of restorative justice across the state.
According to her, the process focuses on repairing harm to victims by bringing them and offenders together for accountability, allowing offenders to make restitution through written agreements.
“The programme is organised in commemoration of Restorative Justice Week.
“We are calling on LASG to provide more funding to expand the programme across Lagos State.
“District prosecutors across Lagos are available to support the process, and sessions can be held through OPD and CMC offices,” she said.
Earlier, Mr Jelili Ogunjimi, Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Ikorodu Division, expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Government and ROLAC for the awareness programme.
He promised to disseminate the information to all communities under his jurisdiction.
