Oyo CJ pledges support for improved justice system

The Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Iyabo Yerima, on Thursday, reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting a non-governmental organisation, Public and Private Development Center, in its moves to expand its Court Administration and Case Management in the state. 

She gave this assurance while playing host to the PPDC officials led by the Chief Executive Officer, Lucy Abagi, during a working visit to her office in Ibadan, the state capital.

Yerima stressed the importance of efficient and timely justice delivery and assured the team that the government would provide the necessary logistics to ensure the success of the projects.

Represented by the Deputy Court Registrar, (DCR-AGM), Olumide Ogunrin, the chief judge said, “Let me, on behalf of CJ, reiterate the government’s commitment to support your NGO in its moves to expand its Court Administration and Case Management in the state.”

She further pledged to provide adequate space for the automated shelving systems, profiling, and archiving essential to the project.

Earlier, the CEO of PPDC, Abagi, supported by the Senior Programme Manager of the center, Kenechukwu Agwu, highlighted impressive outcomes from previous implementations in states already visited. 

“Our team is optimistic about the potential for transformative changes in the state criminal justice system and looks forward to replicating the successes in the state, thereby fostering greater transparency and accountability in the justice sector.

“The project would improve access to justice and provide a platform to share its experiences, learnings, impacts, and challenges encountered during the implementation of the Court Administration and Case Management project. 

“It will also serve as a platform to introduce government officials, Civil Society Organisations, and other relevant leaders, to the Reforming Pre-Trial Detention in Nigeria project. 

“This will, in great measure reduce the number of pre-trial detainees, seeking their buy-in and support for its successful implementation. 

“We will implement custodial measures as a means to decongest detention facilities sustainably, to promote alternatives to custodial measures, and address the root causes of crime and conflict in our communities,” she added.

The team also paid a visit to the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo in his office.