In a significant move to bolster human rights and judicial reform, the Centre for Legal Support and Inmate Rehabilitation (CELSIR) partnered with KENNA to host a pivotal dialogue. The event, marking the 2025 International Human Rights Day, rallied key stakeholders around the urgent theme of 'Reclaiming Dignity: Advancing Fair Hearing and People-Centred Justice System in Nigeria'.
Multi-Sector Dialogue for Systemic Change
The gathering, held on 30 December 2025, assembled a broad spectrum of participants from Nigeria's justice sector. Attendees included members of the judiciary, policymakers, legal practitioners, prosecuting authorities, and representatives from the Nigerian Correctional Services. Civil society organisations, academia, and individuals with direct experience of the criminal justice system also contributed their vital perspectives.
Over five detailed sessions, the dialogue tackled critical sub-themes designed to address systemic flaws. These included discussions on integrating human rights and empathy into justice, securing restorative and economic justice for victims, and examining the stark gap between legal provisions and the daily reality of the right to a fair hearing.
Leadership Calls for Clarity and Collaboration
In her opening remarks, CELSIR's Chief Executive Officer, Joke Aladesanmi, emphasised the pressing need for greater clarity in pinpointing the core issues that hinder effective justice delivery in the country. Her call set the tone for a solutions-oriented forum.
Funmilayo Adeshina, Director of Sustainability at KENNA, praised CELSIR's leadership in steering national conversation towards placing human dignity at the heart of justice reform. She acknowledged the importance of the event's theme and reaffirmed KENNA's steadfast support for the initiative.
Adding a judicial perspective, Justice O.H. Oshodi presented a goodwill message. He identified administrative shortcomings within prosecuting authorities as a key challenge and advocated for the allocation of adequate resources to improve compliance with legal standards.
Key Recommendations from the Communique
A communique issued after the event outlined concrete steps for progress. Stakeholders unanimously called for enhanced multi-sector collaboration across the judiciary, correctional services, police, legal profession, and oversight bodies to tackle system-wide problems.
The document urged lawyers to adopt a more proactive stance in defending clients' rights. Recommendations included:
- Engaging all available procedural safeguards when lower courts or administrators fail to uphold client rights.
- Undertaking diligent advocacy in bail hearings to defend liberty.
- Studying the conduct of individual judges to foster better mutual understanding.
The communique also addressed professional conduct. It encouraged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to intensify efforts against unethical practices. Criminal defence lawyers were tasked with upholding professional integrity to aid the courts. Notably, it advised against the derogatory 'charge and bail' label for lawyers, suggesting instead that they be provided with training to eliminate sharp practices.
Furthermore, a call was made to support the Nigerian Correctional Service with better logistical and infrastructural resources. This support is deemed essential to ensure inmates have consistent access to court, a fundamental aspect of a fair hearing.
This collaboration between CELSIR and KENNA marks a concerted effort to translate the principles of human dignity and equal rights into tangible improvements within Nigeria's justice system.
