From Umar Dankano, Yola
The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has collaborated with various civil society organizations (CSOs) in Adamawa State to create a coordination and communication platform aimed at enhancing the justice delivery system.
The partnership was formalized following an interface held in Yola, bringing together key stakeholders with expertise in the justice sector. The goal is to promote transparency and efficiency in the state’s legal system.
During the meeting, PPDC’s Program Assistant, Hauwa Yusuf, addressed participants on the importance of strategic collaboration.
She highlighted that the event was designed to discuss how the Centre and its partners could work together to ensure access to justice for the people of Adamawa and beyond.
Yusuf emphasized the vital role the invited CSOs play in supporting a more efficient justice system, urging them to contribute meaningfully toward achieving this goal.
Barrister Fatima Bello Raji, State Program Officer for PPDC, further elaborated on the Centre’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public procurement processes across Nigeria.
She explained that the Centre empowers citizens and stakeholders to engage in governance reforms through areas such as access to justice, procurement governance, digital rights, inclusion, and behavioral change.
Raji noted that the justice platform tagged “CSO Coordination and Communication” was created to encourage transparency and better coordination among justice sector agencies, contributing to improved justice outcomes and enhanced public trust.
In addition, Raji outlined several key benefits of the platform, including better decision-making, reduced costs, and optimized resources.
The platform is also expected to boost security and maintain the integrity of sensitive information, making the justice system more efficient and effective.
The platform aims to address long-standing issues, such as the overwhelming number of inmates awaiting trial in Nigerian prisons, a situation which PPDC noted has dire human rights implications.
According to a recent PPDC press release, over 70% of inmates in Nigeria’s prisons are awaiting trial, many of whom may never face a jail term.
The release revealed that as of December 2023, more than 53,000 inmates were on remand across 253 correctional facilities, further straining the justice system and correctional centers.