The Nigerian Correctional Service, NCS, Akwa Ibom State command, the State Ministry of Justice, Community leaders and other relevant stakeholders in the state have appealed to the governor, Umo Eno to set up State Advisory Committee on Non-Custodial Measures that would ensure effective application of its resolutions.

They highlighted the provisions as contained in the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Akwa Ibom State 2022, particularly Part 44 of the ACJL which provides for non-custodial measures as alternatives to imprisonment.

This was part of the resolutions taken at the end of a One-Day workshop on the “Effective Implementation of Non-Custodial Measures in Akwa Ibom State” organized by the NCS in collaboration with Akwa Ibom State Judiciary and Ministry of Justice in Uyo, the State capital on Thursday.

In a communique endorsed by the Organizing Committee secretary, Ogbajie Ogbajie and issued to journalists in Uyo on Friday, September 5, the stakeholders said the governor should also provide the necessary legal and financial backing for the committee’s smooth operations.

They noted that the absence of fully established and funded State Advisory Committee on Non-Custodial Measures and a functional Probation Office have hampered the full operationalization of non-custodial measures as envisaged by the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL).

“His Excellency, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, is urgently called upon to inaugurate the State Advisory Committee on Non-Custodial Measures and provide the necessary legal and financial backing for an effective application of these measures.” The communique partly read.

Other resolutions taken at the workshop include intensive sensitization and training program for Judges, Magistrates, Lawyers and law enforcement officers on the provisions and procedures for granting non-custodial measures; development and issuance of guidelines to courts across the State on the application and granting of non-custodial orders.

The communique noted that all agencies involved in the justice delivery chain, the Police, Correctional Service and Judiciary should establish a formal framework for collaboration, including a shared database for tracking offenders placed on non-custodial measures.

It added that a massive public awareness campaign should be launched by the State Government in partnership with CSOs and the media in order to educate the citizenry on the benefits of non-custodial measures in decongesting correctional facilities, rehabilitating offenders and enhancing public safety.

“The State should adopt a phased approach by initiating a pilot scheme for non-custodial measures, beginning with some selected Magistrate and Customary Courts in Akwa Ibom State, to serve as a model for Statewide replication.” The communique observed.