NIALS Seeks Implementation Of Correctional Reforms, Social Media Regulation

Members of the Presidential Committee on Correctional Reforms
have called for a strategic and holistic approach to the
implementation of the Reforms of Correctional Centres in
Nigeria.

Their position was made during programme organised by the
Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in November
2020, which were part of the last quarter activities between
October and December 2020, presented in the institute’s news
digest.

Speaking, the Director General of NIALS, Professor Muhammed
Tawfiq Ladan, who was also a member of the committee called on the
federal government to implement the Correctional Service Reform
Bill in 2019, which is one of the success stories of the committee
after 10 years of struggle.

Ladan also called for the implementation of the National Justice
Policy adopted in 2019 by the Federal Executive Council, which has
one thematic area on Prison Reform and Decongestion and have been
implemented in three states.

The NIALS, in another programme, called for the regulation of
social media due to the dangers associated with fake news and hate
speeches in the country.

Stakeholders, however, said the regulation must strike a balance
between the fundamental rights of citizens as guaranteed in the
1999 Constitution and other regional and international
instruments.

Speaking at the forum, Prof Ladan drew attention to existing
laws, which can be used to address the challenge, without
legislating on a new Bill.

On her part, the General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority,
News 24, Asabe Abubakar opined that “Everyone has a responsibility
to combat the scourge of fake news by verifying information.”

Members of the Presidential Committee on Correctional Reforms
have called for a strategic and holistic approach to the
implementation of the Reforms of Correctional Centres in
Nigeria.

Their position was made during programme organised by the
Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) in November
2020, which were part of the last quarter activities between
October and December 2020, presented in the institute’s news
digest.

Speaking, the Director General of NIALS, Professor Muhammed
Tawfiq Ladan, who was also a member of the committee called on the
federal government to implement the Correctional Service Reform
Bill in 2019, which is one of the success stories of the committee
after 10 years of struggle.

Ladan also called for the implementation of the National Justice
Policy adopted in 2019 by the Federal Executive Council, which has
one thematic area on Prison Reform and Decongestion and have been
implemented in three states.

The NIALS, in another programme, called for the regulation of
social media due to the dangers associated with fake news and hate
speeches in the country.

Stakeholders, however, said the regulation must strike a balance
between the fundamental rights of citizens as guaranteed in the
1999 Constitution and other regional and international
instruments.

Speaking at the forum, Prof Ladan drew attention to existing
laws, which can be used to address the challenge, without
legislating on a new Bill.

On her part, the General Manager, Nigerian Television Authority,
News 24, Asabe Abubakar opined that “Everyone has a responsibility
to combat the scourge of fake news by verifying information.”