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FG okays restorative justice system in FCT
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal Government, on Monday, said it has okayed the use of restorative justice system in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja.
It said the new justice system would focus on addressing the plight of victims of crime instead of merely punishing the offenders.
The Director, Public Prosecution of the Federation, DPPF, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, in a keynote address he presented at the opening session of a two-day workshop for facilitators on the implementation of restorative justice in the FCT, said the system would help to decongest the prisons.
According to him, the system, which is an alternative to the formal court procedures, is a paradigm shift that would not only ensure speedy resolution of cases but also enhance the process of “repair, resolution and reintegration.”
“The concept of Restorative justice goes to the root of our Africaness, which believes that we cannot come back from court and remain as good neighbours.
“Today, we are here to explore how we, as key stakeholders, can work together to successfully implement this innovative model in the FCT.
The goal of restorative justice is to create outcomes that are not only fair but also healing for everyone involved.
“By focusing on accountability and empathy, we aim to reduce recidivism, alleviate the emotional toll on victims, and strengthen the fabric of our society.
“Therefore, for restorative justice to be successful, it requires the active participation of a wide array of stakeholders.
“Whether you are from law enforcement, the judiciary, traditional institutions, government agencies, civil society, or the community at large, your involvement is critical to ensuring that restorative justice takes root and thrives in the FCT.
“There is often skepticism about new approaches to justice, especially when they deviate from the traditional punitive model. Some may ask, can restorative justice truly hold offenders accountable? Will it undermine the authority of the courts? Can it be applied to serious crimes? These are valid concerns, and it is our job to provide clear answers and evide
“The public needs to understand that restorative justice is not a ‘soft’ option or a soft landing but a rigorous process that emphasizes accountability, responsibility, and active participation in repairing the harm caused.
“Restorative justice offers a chance to humanize the justice system, making it more responsive to the needs of victims and offenders alike. It offers a way to address the root causes of crime and conflict, rather than merely punishing the symptoms and most importantly, it offers a path to healing for individuals and communities,” the DPPF added.
In his remarks, a representative of traditional rulers in the FCT, the Etsu of Kwali, HRH Luka Ayedoo, while commending FG for the initiative, stressed that it should be replicated across the federation.
He bemoaned the fact that most correctional centers in the country are overcrowded, saying for restorative justice system to achieve its purpose, traditional rulers and heads of communities must be carried along.
On her part, the Director, Administration of Criminal Justice and Reform Department, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Leticia Ayoola-Daniels, said the new system which she described as a progressive reform, “offers an inclusive approach that seeks to heal rather than simply punish.”
“It engages offenders, victims, and the community in a meaningful way, promoting accountability, healing, and rehabilitation,” she added.
LawblogNG.Com
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Davido’s father, Adedeji narrates how govt officials want to frustrate his power plant project
Adedeji Adeleke, the father of the award-winning superstar, David, popularly called Davido, has revealed what he went through securing the environmental permit for his power plant worth over $2 billion.
The billionaire industrialist disclosed this while speaking as a Layperson from the West-Central Africa Division during the Seventh Day Adventist General Conference Annual Council on Tuesday, which was held in Maryland, United States of America.
While sharing his experience as a Baptist member, Adeleke recounted how he ran into bottlenecks with ‘difficult government officials’, with a particular official saying to him that the project would never ‘see the light of day’.
He said he went on his knees and prayed to God because he did not want to accept the government official’s statement as the final say for his company, Pacific Energy which was closely working with Chinese engineering companies for the construction and design of the power projects.
“I am a businessman in Nigeria. I’m into the electricity business. I own a power plant, I generate about 15 per cent of the electricity needs for Nigeria. I have Chinese engineering companies that work for me. I’m building the biggest power plant in Nigeria that will be completed in January 2025. It is a 1,250-megawatt power plant.
“During the course of the design and getting the permit, we ran into difficult government officials. For environmental reasons, our permit was denied, and the particular government officials that I held a meeting with told me to my face that my project would never see the light of the day. But while he was saying that, I was saying in my mind that this guy is talking as if he is God. I was saying in my mind that God should listen to him; Because he is not God, whatever he is saying is null and void.”
“So I left, disappointed and I told my Chinese friends that unfortunately we have difficulty and this project is going to stall. Meanwhile, the project is worth about $2 billion. In the process, a lot of money had already gone into the design and preliminaries. Before we get to the stage where we would need a permit and then break ground. So my Chinese friend was worried because the Afrexim Bank of China was involved so that meant bankruptcy for him. I told him not to worry,” he said.
Adeleke further stressed that his Chinese friend had to travel down to Nigeria to discuss a way out because he never believed that prayer was enough to get the project done, noting that it did as the then Minister of Power granted the approval because he saw that the project was a brilliant one.
Recall that Adeleke had earlier spoken about this power project while delivering a lecture note at the 9th graduation ceremony of Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State in July 2023
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Yoruba Nation: Stop intimidating British High Commissioner, Igboho cautions FG
Yoruba nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, otherwise known as Sunday Igboho, has warned the Federal Government against intimidating the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, over his recent petition on the Yoruba nation.
Recall Igboho had, on Saturday, submitted a 25-page petition to the office of UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, at 10 Downing Street, London, pushing for the recognition of a sovereign Yoruba nation.
In a statement personally signed by Igboho and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the activist described the reported summoning of Montgomery by the Nigerian government as unnecessary, labelling it an attempt to pressure the diplomat.
He insisted that such moves would not derail the ongoing push for a Yoruba nation.
The statement read, “The British government colonised Nigeria, and we are well within our rights to submit a petition to them regarding our demand for a sovereign Yoruba nation. Nigeria gained independence on October 1, 1960, from the British government, but the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates in 1914 was a decision made by the British.”
Igboho argued that Yoruba people have a constitutional right to demand secession 100 years after the amalgamation, calling the union a “marriage of inconvenience.”
“The main reason we submitted our letter to the UK government is to have them serve as a witness before the United Nations whenever the issue of the Yoruba nation is brought up at an international level,” the statement continued.
He added that the standard response time for such official letters is around two weeks, suggesting that Prime Minister Starmer might not have even read the petition yet.
However, Igboho reassured the Yoruba people that the intimidation tactics of the Nigerian government would not deter the movement.
The statement added, “We remain committed to peaceful, non-violent, and legitimate methods of ensuring the birth of a Yoruba nation. Our people should stay calm and resolute, confident in our collective struggle for emancipation so that we can harness our great potential in a vibrant Yoruba nation once it is created out of the current Nigerian contraption.”
Igboho further stated that the summoning of Montgomery in Abuja would not halt the campaign, adding that he would not hesitate to rally global support for the cause.
“We will continue to seek international backing and bring our agenda before the global community,” the statement concluded.
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