Understanding the Reforming Pre-trial Detention in Nigeria (RPDN) II project by the Public and Private Development Center (PPDC).

Prepared by: ALI GADDAFI BAPPA Director of Research and Publication, Ahmadu Bello University Law Clinic, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

MAY, 2024

WHAT IS PPDC?

PPDC is an acronym for the Public and Private Development Center. It was first established in 2003, as a non-profit organization in Nigeria.

At first, it mainly promoted the reformation of public procurement and integrity in filmmaking. However, it experienced rapid expansion over the years. Thus, as of 2023, its programs expanded across:

Democratic Accountability; Rule of law and good governance.
Procurement governance; rights, inclusion, and the economy.
Access to justice.

It aims at promoting institutional and behavioral changes in governance through the above programs.

GOALS OF PPDC

To entrench efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the public sector system and processes, through strategic partnerships and citizen engagement.
Overall, it is driven by the desire to have a more transparent and accountable government, as well as to empower citizens to actively participate in the governance process.

So let us just say that they have a twofold objective i.e.

Improving citizens' participation in governance and;
Promoting good governance.

PARTNERS OF PPDC

Their partners include:

Open Society Foundations
Google
One
Africa Freedom of Information Centre
Voice
MacArthur Foundation

They collaborate with these partners to provide pathways for citizens to participate in governance at all levels using tech tools.

SO, the aspect that this program (RPDN II) will focus on is the "ACCESS TO JUSTICE" i.e. improved access to legal representation and reduction of pre-trial detainees + Quick dispensation of justice.

Having known what PPDC is, and what they do, and also having identified the focus and direction of this project, the next thing is to know the project we are getting ourselves involved with i.e. The Reforming Pretrial Detention in Nigeria Phase II (RPDN II).

What then is RPDN?

RPDN is an acronym for “Reforming pre-trial detention in Nigeria”.
The RPDN project was first launched in 2018 by Partners Global in collaboration with various organizations like NULAI, New Rule LLC, etc. with the support of the United States Department of State Bureau of International Narcotics and Law enforcement Affairs, to advance the implementation of the ACJA (Administration of Criminal Justice Act).
Its Basic aim was to reduce unnecessary pre-trial detention in Nigeria. The program ran for 5 years from 2018-2023.
The President of NULAI, Professor Ernest Ojukwu, who was represented by DR. Mukhtar Nasiru at the Reforming Pre-trial detention in Nigeria (RPDN): Project Retrospective and Outlook Close-out Session in Abuja last year (2023), disclosed that more than 1400 cases were resolved in the five years of the program, and 94% of pretrial detainees have access to legal services.
Now the project we are involved with is the second phase of it (RPDN) that is why 'II' is affixed to it, hence making it RPDN II.

RPDN II

The increasing number of PTDs (Pre-trial Detainees) in Nigeria's custodial centers is a continuously growing human rights concern. And the various Pretrial detention reform initiatives carried out over the years have failed to reduce the overall number of pretrial detainees.

So, the PPDC, with support from the United States Department of State's Bureau of international Narcotics and Law enforcement Affairs is currently implementing phase II of the Reforming Pretrial detention in Nigeria project, across Adamawa, Nassarawa, Kaduna, Plateau, Lagos and the F.C.T. over the next three (3) years, in collaboration with Nigerian Law Schools, University Law Clinics and Local bar associations.

Aims & Objectives of the RPDN II

It will be carried out with the aim to:

Enhance the capabilities of Nigeria's corrections and judicial sectors.
Over the next 3 years, the project will reduce the number of detainee populations in correctional facilities, and;
Establish a more just and humane pretrial detention system in Nigeria.

GOALS

To uphold the rule of law
Administer justice and;
Foster public trust in Nigeria's justice system.

What then is our role in this?

Firstly, the main reason for introducing C.L.E (Clinical Legal Education) is to train law students to become competent, community service-oriented, and ethical lawyers. So, a law clinic provides the platform for the academic and service components of this goal.
Most law clinics either require law students to work with the university law clinic or assign the students to an outside partnership organization where they can provide legal services under supervision. The latter is what the ABU Law Clinic has done, by nominating you to the PPDC to serve as a law clinician in the RPDN II project at the public and private development center.
Having known this, your primary role as a law clinician in this project is interventions through legal practitioners i.e. your role will involve working with lawyers, PPDC Staff, and other stakeholders to provide legal services to the PTDs.
One of the challenges of pro bono services by private legal practitioners is the time factor. Hence, your role will help reduce the impact of this and thereby encourage more lawyers to render pro-bono services by assisting the lawyers with the preparation of all necessary letters, petitions, writs, motions, pleadings, and even briefs where a matter is to be filed before or pursued in court, so that the lawyer will only have to deal with the actual court representation.

NOTE:

This is a pro-bono role, therefore there will be no compensation. In other words, it is unpaid.
However, you will be provided with a rewarding experience. In addition to working with a passionate team, you will be mentored by lawyers and receive additional legal training on the various aspects of social justice.
Finally, PPDC is going to pay for the project's logistical expenses.

Conclusion

In Conclusion, you are expected to accord full commitment to this project in line with the rules, extant ethics for the provision of pro bono legal services applicable in Nigeria, and the guidelines agreed upon by the Law Clinic and PPDC.

Understanding the Reforming Pre-trial Detention in Nigeria (RPDN) II project by the Public and Private Development Center (PPDC)