By Lucky Isibor
The Chief Judge of Edo State, Honourable Justice Daniel Okungbowa has tasked partners of the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (RoLAC) programme in the sate on the implementation of the work plan for the 2nd Year of the RoLAC 11 programme which was validated by the State Programme Steering Group (SPSG) in December 2023.
The Chief Judge who is the chairman of the Steering Group made the call at the 1st quarterly meeting of the (SPSG), a body made up of different stakeholders overseeing the implementation of RoLAC programme in Edo State.
RoLAC programme which is in its second phase in Edo State has been championing reforms in the justice sector and anti-corruption with emphasis on prevention of corruption. The programme is financed by the European Union and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
While stating that he’s pleased with the pace of the programme implementation thus far, Hon. Justice Okungbowa who was represented by Hon. Justice Efe Ikponmwoba, urged members of the SPSG to approach the meeting with a sense of purpose.
“As we all know, the core objective of the RoLAC Programme is to support reforms targeted at effective criminal justice administration, promoting access to justice for women, PWDs, children and other vulnerable groups, combating corruption by entrenching transparency and accountability in procurement and government systems and promoting citizens engagement with government.
“Like many of us, over the last few months, I have engaged with the programme at various levels and while I am fairly pleased with the pace of programme execution, there remains a lot more we have to do in implementing the current work plan. I am keen to receive progress reports, including challenges in programme execution, to ensure shared understanding and resolution of outstanding issues”.
Harping on the achievements of RoLAC 11 programme and the implementation of the Year 2 Work Plan, RoLAC Programme Officer for Edo State, Miss Uche Nwokedi pointed out that RoLAC supported the establishment of the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme (PDSS) and also provided free legal services to 34 inmates in two correctional centres through the Legal Aid Coordinating Team (LACT).
While stating that RoLAC is currently supporting the review of Edo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) and the sub-committee meeting
for the review of Child Rights Bill, Nwokedi pointed out that the programme also held stakeholders’ meetings in collaboration with Justice Sector Reform Team (JSRT) to review RoLAC-supported Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ)
interventions and identified new provisions for implementation.
“Currently supporting the review of the state ACJL, Conducted snapshot measurement of Awaiting Trial Populations in the old Benin and New Benin correctional centres in collaboration with the judiciary, ACJMC, JSRT, and NCS, Supported ACJMC quarterly meeting, Support integration of MEL in JRT programming.
“Supported sub-committee meeting
for the review of Child Rights Bill
“Supported JoNAPWD to hold 3 Radio
programmes in commemoration of
International Women’s Day,
Advocacy visit to the Deputy Speaker,
Edo State House of Assembly by
JoNAPWD in commemoration of
International Women’s Day,
Supported the meeting of CSOs and other non-state actors on the implementation of the VAPP, CRL and DRL Law
“Strengthen inclusive legal, policy, institutional and operational frameworks for victims of violence, children and PWD to improve access to justice.
Improve the availability of referral mechanisms, including SARCs, multi-sectorial counselling services, and shelters to facilitate the provision of increased services for vulnerable groups.
“Extend the availability of training and the coordination of legal aid providers to provide support for vulnerable groups.
“Commenced procurement process for printing and disseminating to members of the Judiciary of Guidelines for the trial of SGBV Cases, Guidelines for the issuance of Protection Orders, and Practice Direction for handling Children in Conflict with the Law.
“Supported the establishment of the Police Duty Solicitor Scheme (PDSS) advisory committee.
“Through LACT, we supported the provision of free legal services to 34 inmates (Male, 31; Female, 3) in
two correctional facilities. Under the PDSS Scheme, 64 detainees (male, 64; female 0)received free legal aid services in 12 police stations.
“Trained 120 Small and Medium Enterprises SME (Male 91, Female 29) on procurement processes and bidding in collaboration with Edo State Public Procurement Agency (EDPPA)”.
Other programmes executed in the work plan includes: “Improve the legal framework and policy measures of ACAs to strengthen their work in prevention, law enforcement, asset management and recovery functions, with the cooperation of CSOs
“Strengthen the processes of public
procurement and associated financial and fiscal systems with the cooperation of CSOs specialized in audit and
budget control.
“Strengthened coordination and
collaboration amongst the ACAs and between the ACAs, MDAs, CSO, media
and private sector.
“Improved operations of ACTUs and AC internal oversight mechanisms
(where needed) and citizens’ information and participation mechanisms.
“Currently supports the state through the office of the Head of Service (HOS) for the development of the Public Service Law.
“Hold a capacity – building workshop for procurement officers in collaboration with the Edo State Edo State Public Procurement Agency (EDPPA), 55 procurement officers (Male 30, Female 25), gained knowledge and understanding of anti- corruption principles and standards in the procurement process, including how to effectively identify red flags and prevent and combat corrupt practices in the procurement cycle”.
On challenges confronting the implementation of the programme in the state, the RoLAC programme officer noted that not much has been achieved in the implementation of component Three – “Increased transparency and
accountability of anti-corruption systems and reforms” – as a result of the non-adoption of the Edo State Integrity and Accountability Strategy (EDSIAS) and the State Service Delivery Transparency Initiative (SSDTI).
“The Programme has not made much progress in implementing most activities under outputs 3.3 and 3.4, respectively. This is because most activities under these outputs are dependent on the
adoption of the EDSIAS and the State Service Delivery Transparency Initiative (SSDTI), and the Programme is still discussing with the State through the HoS the state’s readiness to adopt EDSIAS and the SSDTI”.
In a closing remark, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Edo State Public Procurement Agency EDPPA, Mr Henry Idogun appealed to RoLAC partners, Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs that are recipients of RoLAC projects in the state to be chasing RoLAC for the quick and timely execution of the programme in their various MDAs adding that the funds for intervention are in a pool; noting that money not utilised by an agency in a state can be drawn by other benefiting states that are faster in the execution of their programmes.
He then appealed to representatives of MDAs in the SPSG to advocate for the appointment of a RoLAC desk officer in their various MDAs who will ensure the programme moves at a faster pace.