REJA Initiative had its first quarter webinar on the emergence of restorative justice in the Nigerian criminal justice system on the 28th of April 2023. The webinar featured two (2) keynote speakers; Emokiniovo Dafe-Akpedeye, managing partner Compos Mentis and board member REJA and G.I Igbokwe, team lead Social Development Unit PRAWA…
In line with one of the goals of Restorative Justice for Africa Initiative (Reja initiative) which is the sensitisation of stakeholders on the need for restorative justice, a comprehensive training was conducted for police officers in 2 states in Nigeria on Restorative policing and human rights.
The training was held concurrently in Lagos and Abuja in commemoration of the 2022 RJ week, which was held from the 20th – 26th of November 2022………
Myth 4: Restorative Justice is not suitable for all cases, it is only appropriate for minor offences.
Fact: Restorative Justice (RJ) has proven to be very appropriate for capital offences as it has been for minor offences. For minor offences, RJ has provided alternativs to custodian sentences and for capital offences, it has be used in conjunction with the mainstream Justice system to achieve great results.
Myth 3: Restorative justice requires forgiveness and becoming friends with the offender.
Fact: The victim in a restorative program is not under any pressure or compulsion to forgive or reconcile with the offender. RJ simple engineers the process that helps the victim get answers to their toughest questions.
Myth 2: Restorative justice is a get out of jail free card for the offender.
Fact: Restorative Justice (RJ) advocates for a healthy complement to and in certain cases of minor offences, an alternative to retributive justice. RJ does not do away with punishment, but advocates for restitution and repair which are punishments away from imprisonment in certain cases.