Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has applauded the Kano State Government for its progressive reforms in criminal justice administration.
Falana gave the commendation on Wednesday during a capacity-building workshop for prosecutors held in Kano. The event, aimed at strengthening the effective administration of criminal justice, was organized by Kurawa Hussein and Associates in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Justice.
He hailed Kano’s pioneering decision to adopt the FIDRA Administration of Criminal Justice Act in 2019, which made it the first state in the country to end the prosecution of criminal cases by lay police officers.
Describing the move as a bold and forward-thinking step, Falana said it laid the foundation for a more professional and rights-based justice system.
He urged prosecutors to undergo continuous training and be equipped with modern tools to improve their capacity, noting that their effectiveness is key to maintaining public trust in the judicial process.
“Without proper working conditions and tools, prosecutors cannot be expected to discharge their duties diligently,” Falana stated. He also stressed the need for improved conditions of service for legal officers in order to enhance their dedication and performance.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria drew attention to the difficulties faced by indigent citizens in accessing justice, highlighting economic hardship as a major barrier.
To bridge this gap, he called for the empowerment and decentralization of the public defender’s office, recommending that it be present in every Local Government Area across the state.
“This will ensure that the poor and vulnerable can access legal support and get lawyers assigned to their cases,” Falana noted.
He reiterated the need to protect the rights of suspects and promote confidence in the justice system, adding that suspects are entitled to legal representation.
“Police authorities must ensure suspects are informed of their rights and must reach out to the Legal Aid Council to provide legal assistance when necessary,” he said.
Falana further urged the mass media to actively educate the public on their legal rights, noting that public enlightenment is essential for building an informed and justice-conscious society.
(NAN)