ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) has launched the Coalition on Judicial Aspects for Judicial Reforms (COJAR) to foster a more accountable, transparent, and independent judiciary in Nigeria.
COJAR under the CLEAP Justice Project, a Ford Foundation-funded initiative focused on promoting accountability in post-election justice delivery.
Speaking at the launch o on Thursday, the Deputy Country Director and Director of Programmes, AAN, Suwaiba Muhammad Dankabo, said it is a collective journey toward fostering a more accountable, transparent, and independent judiciary in Nigeria.
She also maintained that AAN has been working in Nigeria to combat poverty and injustice for more than two decades as AAN is currently implementing the Citizens Led Engagements on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP Justice), a citizen-centered and citizen-driven intervention aimed at promoting judicial accountability.
The initiative is part of the Citizens Led Engagements on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP Justice) project—funded by the Ford Foundation—focused on enhancing transparency and integrity within the Nigerian judiciary.
She said: “That the judiciary is a sacred institution, a pillar of democracy, and the last hope of the common man. Yet, recent events have cast a shadow over its credibility and transparency. If this institution falters, what then becomes of that hope? It is therefore imperative that we act deliberately and collaboratively to restore faith in the judiciary and ensure its true independence.
“As a social justice advocate, I am glad that this project seeks to catalyze long-term and sustained systems of judicial independence in Nigeria. I am hopeful that COJAR will become a beacon for long-term reform in Nigeria.
“As we are gathered here today for the formation and launch of COJAR, let us reflect on the unwavering belief in the power of one. ActionAid was founded by the power of one person, Jackson Cece-Cole, a British businessman who brought friends together to just think of vulnerable children in India and Kenya in 1972, but now the organization is all over the world.
“Likewise, we believe in the power of every individual here, the power of one voice, one action, and one vision to make a positive change to our justice system. When we combine the individual power that we possess and unite with a shared purpose, we can make a huge impact in our society.In that spirit of solidarity and collaboration, we are honoured to establish COJAR under the CLEAP Justice project.
“This coalition is designed to unite stakeholders and civil society who are collectively working to advance judicial accountability and drive systemic reforms within Nigeria’s justice system.
“As we launch this coalition today, let us engage in open and strategic dialogue.
“Together, we must chart a clear course of action, developing a shared work plan that aligns our efforts and ensures sustainable impact. Our goal is not only to convene but to converge, merging our voices, expertise, and advocacy to strengthen judicial independence in Nigeria.
“We also hope that by the end of today’s meeting, each organization here will commit to becoming an active member of COJAR. Your active engagement and participation in the coalition are crucial if we are to build a resilient and responsive justice system that truly serves the people.
“We also look forward to your recommendations on how we can collectively mobilize citizens, citizen groups and movements to demand reinforced systems that guarantee judicial independence and integrity.”