Non-Custodial Sentencing: Buoro Urges Judiciary To Develop Manpower

The Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates (SCMA), an
organisation, has urged the Judiciary to develop manpower to
improve the implementation of non-custodial sentencing in the
justice sector.

The SCMA, is a multi-disciplinary cross-professional trade
organisation established to promote and deliver best practice and
professional excellence in mediation advocacy through in individual
and corporate training and commercial activities.

The Convener of the SCMA, Mr Valentino Buoro, made the call in
an interview with a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) on Thursday, in Lagos.He said that non-custodial sentencing
through restorative justice system is a process for resolving crime
that focuses on redressing the harm done to the victims, holding
offenders accountable and engaging the community in the resolution
of that conflict.

”The import of non-custodial sentencing is to decongest the
correctional centres and serve as a deterrent to minor offenders.”
Non-custodial sentencing as part of restorative justice has enabled
minor or first offenders of minor offence to undergo punishment of
a practical time like community service.”Such minor offenders are
made to work in a public space like controlling traffic, cleaning
environments or sometimes asked to return the stolen item to the
victim.

“Though this practice is gradually taking off in Nigeria, there
is still a lot of ignorance and lack of skilled officials to manage
the process.“I think the first place to start is to develop the
manpower to manage the process.

“Apart from restorative justice practitioners who may facilitate
the processes in court, we need other officials or skilled managers
who will be able to monitor the process of enforcement.

“This can be achieved if the courts give strong indications to
deliberately train professional staffs,” Buoro said. He said though
the process was gradually taking off in the country, it would also
help to reduce the workload of magistrates and judges in the
courts.

He said that the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice
Law (ACJL) 2015 makes provision for non-custodial measures or
punishment – Fines, probation, community service, rehabilitation,
deportation, cost, compensation and damages; seizure, restitution,
forfeiture and disposition of property. We shall focus on fines,
probation and community service. Buoro urges other states of the
federation to follow suit. (NAN)

The Standing Conference of Mediation Advocates (SCMA), an
organisation, has urged the Judiciary to develop manpower to
improve the implementation of non-custodial sentencing in the
justice sector.

The SCMA, is a multi-disciplinary cross-professional trade
organisation established to promote and deliver best practice and
professional excellence in mediation advocacy through in individual
and corporate training and commercial activities.

The Convener of the SCMA, Mr Valentino Buoro, made the call in
an interview with a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria
(NAN) on Thursday, in Lagos.He said that non-custodial sentencing
through restorative justice system is a process for resolving crime
that focuses on redressing the harm done to the victims, holding
offenders accountable and engaging the community in the resolution
of that conflict.

”The import of non-custodial sentencing is to decongest the
correctional centres and serve as a deterrent to minor offenders.”
Non-custodial sentencing as part of restorative justice has enabled
minor or first offenders of minor offence to undergo punishment of
a practical time like community service.”Such minor offenders are
made to work in a public space like controlling traffic, cleaning
environments or sometimes asked to return the stolen item to the
victim.

“Though this practice is gradually taking off in Nigeria, there
is still a lot of ignorance and lack of skilled officials to manage
the process.“I think the first place to start is to develop the
manpower to manage the process.

“Apart from restorative justice practitioners who may facilitate
the processes in court, we need other officials or skilled managers
who will be able to monitor the process of enforcement.

“This can be achieved if the courts give strong indications to
deliberately train professional staffs,” Buoro said. He said though
the process was gradually taking off in the country, it would also
help to reduce the workload of magistrates and judges in the
courts.

He said that the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice
Law (ACJL) 2015 makes provision for non-custodial measures or
punishment – Fines, probation, community service, rehabilitation,
deportation, cost, compensation and damages; seizure, restitution,
forfeiture and disposition of property. We shall focus on fines,
probation and community service. Buoro urges other states of the
federation to follow suit. (NAN)