At a two-day National Dialogue on integrating inclusivity for persons with disabilities into criminal justice administration and reforms, held in Abuja on the 17th and 18th of October, 2024, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities emphasized that significant efforts are still needed to close the justice gap.
While addressing stakeholders in the disability community, the Executive Secretary underscored the lack of adequate access to justice for persons with disabilities across various sectors, as he opened the workshop for discussion.
“You would agree with me that persons with disabilities, across various clusters, are still unable to fully access justice as they should in many aspects,” he remarked.
He highlighted the need for different forms of accessibility, including sign language interpreters for the Deaf, braille materials for the visually impaired, wheelchair-accessible ramps in court premises, and financial provisions for those with disabilities.
However, he lamented the fact that many public facilities have yet to comply with accessibility regulations set by the Commission.
Additionally, he noted that numerous lawyers with disabilities face significant challenges in accessing court environments and legal materials needed for their practice.
Dr. Oluwatoyin Badejogbin, Project Manager for Criminal Justice Reforms, also outlined the workings of the justice system and steps needed to improve the current situation.
Similarly, Barr. Ikem Uchegbulam, Director of Compliance and Enforcement at NCPWD, reflected on some of the positive changes within the legal process, noting that the 2015 ACJA now allows women to post bail, a step towards equality in law.