The CLEEN Foundation organized a one-day workshop themed “Citizens’ Engagement on Policing Reforms and Accountability of Justice Sector Actors.” The event, held at the Innocent Chukwuma House in Ojodu, Lagos, brought together key stakeholders to address critical challenges in Nigeria’s policing framework.
The workshop, part of CLEEN Foundation’s MacArthur Foundation project, aimed to foster dialogue between citizens, law enforcement personnel, and justice sector actors. Discussions focused on identifying gaps in the current policing system, improving professional conduct, and ensuring the implementation of reforms passed into law over the past decade.
During the workshop, participants highlighted the significance of engaging citizens in the policing reform process. They stressed the need for collaboration between security agencies and the communities they serve to promote transparency and accountability. The forum revealed that despite the passage of key legislative measures like the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015) and the Police Act amendment (2020), challenges such as poor implementation, lack of public awareness, and unprofessional conduct by security personnel persist.
Stakeholders from the South-South, North-West, and North-Central-East regions shared insights on regional policing issues. In the South-South, key challenges included poor welfare for security personnel and a lack of citizen oversight in policing institutions. The Delta State Security Trust Fund and local policing groups were cited as examples of progress in community policing. Recommendations included capacity-building initiatives for law enforcement officers and improved welfare packages to boost morale.
In the North-West, discussions centered on the unethical conduct of security personnel and the wide communication gap between law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders. Stakeholders called for the promotion of ethical behavior, enhanced recruitment processes, and more proactive policing efforts, particularly in Sokoto, where overcrowding in correctional facilities was a pressing concern.
The North-Central-East region also echoed concerns about the vetting of police recruits and the need for joint police-community recruitment efforts to ensure professionalism.
In his remarks, CLEEN Foundation Program Director Mr. Salaudeen Hashim emphasized the need for sustained efforts to address these issues, urging that reforms be implemented not only in law but also in practice. A key outcome of the workshop was the development of a “Charter of Demand” by participants, which outlines specific recommendations to address the identified challenges.
The event concluded with a policy brief presentation summarizing the workshop’s findings and recommendations. CLEEN Foundation aims to continue facilitating dialogue between citizens, security agencies, and justice sector actors to build public trust, improve law enforcement operations, and ensure that the justice system serves the community effectively.
The workshop is part of CLEEN Foundation’s ongoing commitment to ensuring accountability, professionalism, and transparency in Nigeria’s policing and justice systems.