As part of its efforts towards the continued release of correctional facilities across the State while ensuring prompt justice, the Lagos State Department of Justice through the Rehabilitation Justice Center (RJC) in Tuesday, held a training session for Judges to further strengthen and promote the process of restoring justice in the Court.
In her welcome address at the training held at the Ministry of Justice, Alausa, the Attorney General and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Titilayo Shitta-bey-Jeje, represented by Mrs. Olubunmi Olugasa, noted that restorative justice is an approach to justice that seeks to repair the harm by providing an opportunity for those who have been harmed and those who take responsibility for the harm to communicate and address their needs after a crime.
According to Shitta-Bey-JJ, restorative justice is based on the understanding that crime is a violation of people and relationships, as well as encouraging meaningful engagement and accountability that provides an opportunity for healing, reparation and reintegration into society.
According to information gathered from Lagos State website, “The objectives of the Lagos State Restorative Justice program include reducing recidivism, increasing victim satisfaction, strengthening communities, reducing incarceration and increasing public confidence in the justice system.
Shitta-bey-Jeje further reiterated that the training session will present an opportunity to raise more awareness of Restorative Justice, as well as a platform to receive feedback from stakeholders (magistrates) on how to further enhance and strengthen the idea of justice, restorative in prison.
Justice system. Ms Achere Cole said restorative justice is a process that involves restorative justice.
Those who have interests in a specific offense to jointly identify and address the harms, needs, and obligations to remedy and make matters worse.
Most accurate She said, “Cornerstones of restorative justice include inclusion of all parties, encountering the other party, redress, reintegrating parties into their community, and active accountability.”
During the interactive session with the judge Ms Cole emphasized that restorative justice programs deal with relatively minor offenses with the exception of capital offenses.
Sexual offences, kidnapping, domestic violence and terrorism under the Court of Justice of Lagos Restorative Justice Guidelines 2019.
Achere explained that there are guidelines for reviewing and accepting restorative justice cases that include policy considerations, mental health, age of the offender, and whether they are a first/repeated offender or a chemical abuser, she said that restorative justice is a flexible process which can take different forms depending on the community, programme, case, participants, or circumstances.
It also uses processes that can take place at all stages of the criminal justice system and can be used on both adults and youth.
The Coordinator, Restorative Justice Centre, Mrs. Adenike Oluwafemi stated that case referrals to the centre are only possible when both parties are willing to submit to the concept of restorative justice.
“The referral forms are filled by the Magistrate, scanned and sent to the Restorative Justice Center email address where it is recorded and a time will be fixed for both the parties to meet”, he said.
Mrs. Adenike also noted that the center is always open to discuss matters and if it cannot be resolved, other resources will be provided to support and assist both parties.
In her remarks, the Assistant Coordinator of the Restorative Justice Centre, Ms. Temitope Soewu, expressed her deep gratitude to the Lagos State Government, Attorney General and Under Secretary of the Ministry of Justice; Directors and Judges for their assistance in ensuring the expeditious administration of justice in the state.
A one-day interactive and educational training session was well attended by state court judges and provides an opportunity to consider the working capacity of restorative justice in various courts.
