Anambra State has advanced its justice reform agenda with the validation of key Restorative Justice (RJ) documents at a two-day Stakeholder Validation Workshop held in Awka.
The workshop was organised by the Anambra State Ministry of Justice, with technical and programmatic support from Prison Fellowship Nigeria (PF Nigeria) under the RoLAC 2 programme of International IDEA, funded by the European Union. It focused on validating the Restorative Justice Policy, Bill, and Practice Direction developed by the Anambra State Restorative Justice Steering Committee, chaired by the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Professor Sylvia Ifemeje.
The workshop was declared open by the Honourable Attorney General, represented by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Barrister Mrs Nneka Umeozulu, who reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to humane, inclusive, and responsive justice reforms.
In a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the Chief Judge of Anambra State, Honourable Justice O.M. Anyachebelu, the Chairman of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (Anambra State), His Worship Onome Nwankwo, expressed the judiciary’s support for restorative approaches that promote healing, accountability, and social cohesion.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Prison Fellowship Nigeria, Dr Jacob Tsado, described the workshop as the final validation exercise among seven states developing RJ frameworks, reflecting the growing national acceptance of restorative justice. He commended the steering committee and stakeholders for their collaborative efforts in producing the documents.
The workshop was facilitated by a legal expert and law lecturer, Dr Anita Nwotite, and brought together stakeholders from the judiciary, Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service, Legal Aid Council, Nigerian Bar Association, civil society, faith-based organisations, and community groups. Participants undertook technical reviews and plenary sessions to strengthen the frameworks for implementation.
At the end of the deliberations, participants unanimously adopted the draft Restorative Justice Policy, Bill, and Practice Direction. Key outcomes included strengthened community ownership, enhanced multi-agency collaboration, safeguards for victims’ rights and dignity, and commitments to digital integration and capacity building for justice actors.
Participants agreed that effective adoption and implementation of restorative justice will help decongest the criminal justice system, improve access to justice, and promote reconciliation, peace, and social cohesion in Anambra State.