In a bid to promote awareness about the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Lagos State, the Rights Enforcement and Public Law Centre (REPLACE), has embarked on a community sensitization campaign across major markets in Lagos.
The campaign sponsored by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, aimed at empowering women and vulnerable groups with knowledge of their legal rights, kicked off at the bustling Ipodo Market, Ikeja, on Tuesday.
The initiative seeks to address misconceptions about the ACJL and equip residents with tools to assert their rights, particularly in their interactions with law enforcement agencies.
Raising Awareness for Justice
Felicitas Aigbogun-Brai, Executive Director of REPLACE, emphasized the importance of the campaign.
“This program is designed to raise awareness about the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, which has been in effect since 2015 and amended in 2021. Despite its significance, many residents, including lawyers, are unaware of key provisions that safeguard the rights of women and vulnerable groups,” she explained.
One such provision allows women to act as sureties at police stations, a right often denied due to entrenched biases.
“The law clearly states that a woman can stand as surety if she meets the same conditions as a man. Women need to know and insist on this right,” Aigbogun-Brai stressed.
She also highlighted Section 4 of the ACJL, which prohibits the arrest of individuals in place of suspects. “If your relative or friend is a suspect, the police have no right to arrest you. This is a crucial point we want people to understand and assert,” she added.
Campaign Goals
The campaign aims to achieve three key outcomes:
- Increased Awareness: Ensure that more Lagos residents are familiar with the ACJL and its provisions.
- Reduced Arbitrary Arrests: Advocate for a significant reduction in arrests made “in lieu” of suspects, a practice commonly reported in the state.
- Empowered Women: Encourage more women to confidently stand as sureties and assert their rights at police stations.
Aigbogun-Brai also urged the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to uphold the rights enshrined in the ACJL and ensure officers respect the law.
Supporting Justice Reform
REPLACE, founded in 2004 by the Open Society Justice Initiative and Nigeria’s Legal Aid Council, aims to address systemic issues in Nigeria’s criminal justice system. Many detainees remain in pretrial detention due to their inability to afford bail or legal representation.
Funded by the European Union, RoLAC focuses on strengthening legal systems and curbing corruption in Lagos and other focal states.
Voices from the Market
Market women at the event expressed gratitude for the initiative. Oriyomi Tesilimot Balogun, one of the campaign leaders, said, “It is high time women knew their rights. Women should be able to stand as sureties, and no one should be arrested for another person’s offense.”
Omotayo Adedoyin, another market leader, praised the efforts, noting that many women are unaware of their rights.
“I will take this enlightenment campaign beyond the market to women in my local council development area,” she pledged.
The campaign will continue in three other markets across Lagos, reinforcing the message of justice, equality, and the rule of law.