The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Restorative Justice Center convened a high-profile stakeholders’ meeting at the Abuja Multi-Door Courthouse (AMDC), located within the FCT High Court premises in Gudu, Abuja. The meeting, themed “Promoting Restorative Justice Principles Through Referrals From the Court,” brought together senior magistrates, legal practitioners, justice stakeholders, and media representatives to discuss the integration and implementation of restorative justice in court proceedings.
The event commenced with an opening address by Mr. Salaudeen Abdullateef, Director of the Abuja Multi-Door Courthouse, who welcomed participants and emphasized the importance of the deliberations in shaping the justice delivery system in the FCT. In his remarks, Mr. Abdullateef underscored the AMDC’s commitment to fostering alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including restorative justice, to ensure fair, efficient, and human-centered justice.
Mrs. Miriam Kombo Ezeh, Coordinator of the FCT Restorative Justice Programme, presented an overview of restorative justice and the objectives of the meeting. She highlighted the programme’s goal of providing non-adversarial solutions to disputes while promoting healing, reconciliation, and accountability. She stressed that referrals from the courts are essential for embedding restorative justice into the mainstream judicial framework.
Structured Discussions on Key Referral Mechanisms
The lead discussion was facilitated by Madam Ozioma Izuora, an esteemed law teacher with expertise in restorative justice. Supported by 15 senior magistrates and other stakeholders, the discussions centered on the mechanisms and processes for enhancing court referrals. Several key documents and forms were analyzed, including:
Referral Form: Designed for magistrates to initiate the restorative justice process.
Victim/Offenders Consent to Participate Form: Ensuring all parties voluntarily agree to participate.
Order of Recognizance to Keep the Peace and Be of Good Behavior Form: A preventive measure promoting community harmony.
Order for Money Form
Order of Dismissal with Damages Form: Resolving disputes through equitable compensation.
Community Service Reporting Instruction Form: Facilitating accountability and societal reintegration through community service.
Participants also examined policy and legislative texts to guide the implementation of restorative justice in the FCT, including:
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The Restorative Justice Policy Document Federal Capital Territory Draft,
The Draft Federal Capital Territory Courts (Restorative Justice) Practice Direction 2024, and
The FCT Restorative Justice Draft Bill 2023.
The discussion yielded actionable insights on how these documents can bridge the gap between restorative justice principles and their practical application in courtrooms.
The stakeholders resolved that courts in the FCT should take deliberate steps to encourage and enforce restorative justice through systematic referrals. These steps include the adoption of the proposed referral forms, improved training for magistrates and court personnel, and sustained public sensitization on the benefits of restorative justice.
In her closing remarks, Mrs. Lilian Tarbo, Head of Training at the AMDC, commended the robust and productive discussions. She lauded the commitment of all participants in advancing restorative justice.
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