Justice Lateef Fagbemi, Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), has highlighted the crucial need for justice to be administered fairly, without gender bias, and in an impartial manner to maintain its credibility. He made this assertion during the inauguration of a new initiative titled “Strengthening Right-Based Approach to Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) Framework and Advancing Women, Peace and Security (WPS) in Nigeria,” held on Tuesday in Abuja.

The event, organized by the Cleen Foundation in partnership with the Norwegian Government through the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Abuja, aims to enhance Nigeria’s justice system and promote gender-sensitive governance. The project is currently being implemented in 12 states, with operational activities actively ongoing in Imo, Kaduna, Plateau, Benue, and Nasarawa states.

Representing the AGF, Mr. David Emmanuel, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Justice, stressed the urgency of reinforcing justice delivery mechanisms, promoting accountability, and safeguarding citizens’ rights—core pillars of Nigeria’s justice framework. He described the project as timely and strategic, aimed at fully implementing the ACJA in the 12 states and effectively advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda in five states.

Emmanuel emphasized that the ACJA has already brought transformative changes at the federal level, such as reducing prolonged detention and fostering respect for human rights. Extending its full application to more states will deepen these benefits. He also acknowledged the vital role of women in peacebuilding, conflict resolution, and inclusive governance, reinforcing the importance of operationalizing the WPS agenda.

Justice Babatunde Adejumo, Administrator of the National Judicial Institute (NJI), echoed the need for gender neutrality in justice administration, warning that any bias toward or against a gender would undermine the credibility of the justice system. He noted that justice has often been perceived as favoring men, reflecting broader gender inequality. To correct this perception, he called for acknowledging the lived experiences of both men and women to ensure inclusivity and fairness.

Adejumo further pointed out that international and national laws increasingly recognize the unique challenges faced by women, especially in conflict settings, and their crucial roles in peacebuilding. He urged judicial officers and stakeholders to avoid stereotypes or biases that could affect legal decisions and emphasized that justice must be guided strictly by facts, evidence, and the law. He reaffirmed the judiciary’s dedication to equity and impartiality, regardless of gender.

Representing the Norwegian Ambassador, Ms. Michelle Hovi, Acting Chargé d’Affaires at the Royal Norwegian Embassy, expressed Norway’s pride in supporting initiatives promoting peace, justice, and inclusive societies. She praised the Cleen Foundation for its efforts in enhancing accountability, governance, and community engagement, aligning with Norway’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions.

Mr. Peter Maduoma, Acting Executive Director of the Cleen Foundation, outlined that the project focuses on improving ACJA implementation and advancing women’s roles in peace and security. The initiative seeks to increase access to justice, strengthen accountability within the criminal justice system, and encourage women’s active participation in peacebuilding across Nigeria. Maduoma noted that the foundation would leverage its expertise in security sector reform and gender-responsive strategies to ensure success in all targeted states, with plans to expand the project to additional states in the future. He expressed confidence that, through collaboration with partners at various levels of government, the initiative would build on previous achievements and effectively address remaining challenges in ACJA implementation.