Activist-lawyer and Executive Director, Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON), Mrs. Gloria Egbuji has celebrated 25 years of the foundation. In this interview with ADEBISI ONANUGA, she spoke on her passion for victims of crime, the Gunshot and Accident Victim Act 2017, among other criminal justice issues.
What is your reason for going into activism?
Iwent into activism and started non-profit organisations because I felt very strongly about the particular cause or issues about crime victimisation in Nigeria and lack of support for victims of crime and abuse of power. I have personally experienced the effects of that problem and witnessed its impact on others, inspiring me to take action. By running a non-profit organisation, I mobilise resources, raise awareness, and make a tangible difference in addressing the issues of victimisation, crime prevention and victim support.
Why victims of crime?
This was born out of personal experiences with such issues, a desire to make a positive impact in the community, a passion for social justice, or recognising a lack of resources available for these victims. I also wanted to raise awareness about these problems and provide a safe space for victims to seek help and healing.
So, what have been the impediments, constraints over the last 25 years?
Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria faced several impediments and constraints over the last 25 years, such as changing political and regulatory landscapes, limited funding sources, donor fatigue, shifts in public interest, and potential difficulty in sustaining a committed volunteer base. Additionally, economic instability, competition for resources with other NGOs, and bureaucratic challenges posed obstacles. It is important to adapt strategies to address these challenges and ensure the foundation’s long-term sustainability and impact so that we can continue to forge ahead.
What are your most remarkable achievements within the last 25 years?
The Crime Victims Foundation in Nigeria, as a non-profit organisation, might consider its most remarkable achievements to be its successful support for thousands of crime victims by providing counseling, legal aid, and rehabilitation services to help them recover and rebuild their lives after traumatic experiences. Additionally, their efforts to raise awareness about victim rights and advocate for improved policies could also be seen as a significant accomplishment.
In 1999, the non-profit organisation assisted its first victim, through the support from Nigeria Directorate of Employment NDE when they supported us to give assistance to two victims who were assaulted and raped marking the beginning of its impactful work in helping survivors navigate their recovery process.
The organisation established partnerships with local law enforcement agencies especially the Nigeria Police to advocate for victims’ rights and ensure more effective handling of cases. We began the first Human rights training in NPF and was the first NGO that set up human rights desks in NPF for the first time with Lagos State as the pilot before it was escalated to other police formations. We have trained over 22, 000 officers across all police formations.
The organisation successfully advocated for changes in policies and legal frameworks related to crime and abuse of power, resulting in the passage of The Protection of Victims of Gunshot and Accident Victims Act 2017 that offer enhanced protection for victims of gunshots and accidents in Nigeria. With supports from UNDP and UNCRI, we conducted the first victimisation and re-victimization survey in Nigeria.
Over the years, we engaged in capacity building and conducted series of training sessions for counselors, legal experts, and social workers, thus expanding the pool of professionals equipped to assist victims. Through strategic awareness campaigns, workshops, and community outreach initiatives, the CRIVIFON managed to reach over two million people raising awareness about victim issues and promoting a culture of empathy and support.
The organisation conducted research studies on victim experiences, producing insightful publications that contribute to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by victims and potential solutions, for example, crime victimisation survey on how to make Lagos a safe state. These publications include: ‘Crime, Justice and Society’, ‘Kidnapping for Ransom in Nigeria, a threat to National Security’; ‘Election Violence in Nigeria’, ‘Know your Rights’ ‘Coping with Victimisation’, ‘Coping After A Traumatic Events’ and many others. CRIVIFON also expanded its services to many states across Nigeria, reaching more victims in need.
These milestones, and many others, showcase the foundation dedication, achievements and the positive changes it has brought to the lives of victims of crime and abuse of power in Nigeria.
What are your programmes for inmates who are perpetrators of crime?
We provide various support services to inmates in correctional facilities who are perpetrators of crime, including offering educational opportunities such as GED classes, vocational training, and life skills workshops can help inmates acquire valuable skills and increase their chances of successful reintegration into society, counseling and therapy through which we provide individual and group counseling sessions to address underlying issues that may have contributed to criminal behaviour and helping inmates develop healthier coping mechanisms and emotional well-being.
The CRIVIFON offer substance abuse treatment programmes to inmates struggling with addiction, thereby helping them overcome dependencies and reduce the risk of relapse after release.
We offer them mental health services, including assessments, therapy, and medication management, can help inmates manage their mental health conditions and reduce the likelihood of reoffending and assist inmates with developing post-release plans, finding housing, securing employment, and reconnecting with family and community support systems. This is to enhance their chances of a successful reintegration into society.
Our NGO facilitates restorative justice programmes that encourage inmates to take responsibility for their actions, make amends to victims, and learn empathy, which can contribute to personal growth and reduced recidivism and provide legal assistance and advocating for criminal justice reforms that can help inmates navigate the legal system, address potential injustices, and work towards fairer sentencing and rehabilitation practices.
We also teach conflict resolution skills that can help inmates address conflicts nonviolently, both during their incarceration and upon release, ensure access to healthcare services, including physical and mental health care and contribute to overall well-being and reduce medical-related challenges upon release. However, all these will depend on availability of funding supports.
How can we improve on our criminal justice system?
Improving Nigeria’s criminal justice administration systems could involve reforms such as strengthening police training, resources, and oversight can help reduce corruption and improve professionalism.
We can carry out a lot of judicial reforms by streamlining court processes, increasing funding for courts, and addressing case backlog can expedite trials and ensure timely justice.
The prison system improvement should be looked into by focusing on rehabilitation, reducing overcrowding, and ensuring humane treatment of inmates can lead to better outcomes. We can also reform our laws by updating and modernising our criminal laws and thereby address the gaps and ensure they align with contemporary needs. In addition, promoting collaboration between police and communities fosters trust and helps prevent crime effectively.
There is also the need to take strong measures to combat corruption within the justice system to restore public trust, encouraging mediation and arbitration for certain cases to alleviate pressure on the court system, providing legal assistance to those who can’t afford it ensures fair representation for all individuals, providing training for judges, lawyers, and law enforcement personnel to ensure they stay updated on best practices.
We can also engage in educating citizens about their rights, responsibilities, and legal processes to foster a better understanding of the justice system and providing legal assistance to those who can’t afford it to ensure fair representation for all individuals among other steps.
What was your role in the journey to the enactment of the Gunshot and Accident Victims Act 2017?
The journey started way back in 1998. We had championed the course of gunshots and accidents victims by urging medical staff in private and public hospitals to admit the victims for treatment before asking them to produce police report.
Before the bill was passed in the Senate and House of Representatives, we engage in policy advocacy by researching for the bill. We worked closely with lawmakers to ensure that these proposals align with the organization’s mission and gain legislative support.
We raised awareness among the public and lawmakers about specific issues addressed by the bill. This involved conducting research, publishing reports, organising workshops, and using social media and traditional media to educate the public and policymakers.
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We build coalitions with other non-profits, civil society organisations, and advocacy groups that amplified the impact of advocacy efforts. Working together helped us pool resources, expertise, and influence to promote the bill’s passage.
We engaged in lobbying powerful lawmakers by researching and drafting proposed bills or amendments. We arranged meetings with some legislators to present our case, share data, and highlight the benefits of the proposed Gunshot bill.
Some of our local partners in Port Harcourt encourage their supporters and constituents to contact their elected representatives, urging them to support the bill. We did this in some other states. This grassroots approach demonstrated public support and influence lawmakers. At a point I personally met the then Deputy Senate President and also worked with his Special Assistant on constituency projects
After a bill was passed, we continued to monitor its implementation and held lawmakers accountable for ensuring the bill’s provisions are enacted as intended while we continued the awareness creation.
How would you rate the successes of the Act?
It’s too early to rate the success but I can say that once awareness is created, there will be improved and much compliance.
What is your group doing to get the states to domesticate the Act?
Interestingly, Rivers State under former Governor Nyesom Wike was the first to key into act by domesticating the Compulsory Treatment and Care for victims Gunshot and Accident Act 2017 through its legislative organ in 2022. Lagos State followed suit with its “Victims Witness Protection Bill” in month of September , 2022 to domesticate the Act by adding sections protecting victims and witnesses in the state. The law in Lagos also included provisions of assistance and protection to victims and witnesses who have information that could help ensure protection of cases but who face intimidation for cooperating with prosecution and law enforcement agencies.
Our next step now is to push for Victims Bill of Rights to see if we can have an Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) within the Federal and State Ministries of Justice. I already have a draft and once the government is fully settled, we will kick start our mobilisation and other activities towards its passing. It is a very comprehensive bill that will benefit the victims of crime and abuse of power and also enhance the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria. We are also going to launch our Crisis Intervention Team.
Your NGO is involved in the training and retraining of men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force ( NPF), an area rarely seen by other NGO. Why?
CRIVIFON is training NPF on human rights for the under mentioned reasons. Training men and officers of the Nigeria Police on Fundamental Human Rights and Rule of Law can yield several benefits, including improved public trust, reduced instances of abuse, more effective law enforcement, and a better overall relationship between law enforcement and the community.
This training can help officers understand the importance of respecting citizens’ rights, promoting accountability, and ensuring fair and just treatment for all individuals. It can also enhance the police force’s professionalism, leading to better cooperation with the public and a more efficient justice system.
It will help them as law enforcers not to be law breakers and reduce abuse of police powers.
How many men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force have been trained so far by CRIVIFON? What are the training centred on?
We have trained over 24,000 officers and men across seven police formations, Railways, Airport and Police Training School.
Most of the trainings are centered on the provisions of Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution as amended and police powers including Humanitarian laws.
Have the Police fared better after such training?
Yes because change takes time. So the awareness is created and they are gradually changing created human rights desks in all police commands and peoples rights are better respected now than before.
What more should be done to improve the image of the Police?
The Nigerian government can improve the image of its police officers by implementing comprehensive reforms, including better training, accountability measures, community engagement, and addressing issues of corruption and misconduct. Strengthening transparency, promoting professionalism, and ensuring officers respect human rights can go a long way in enhancing the public’s perception of the police force.
What can be done to tame, curb extra judicial killings by the Police and other security agencies?
Preventing extra judicial killings in Nigeria or any country facing this issue, is a complex challenge that requires concerted efforts from various stakeholders. It is very crucial that we strengthen the rule of law by ensuring that the justice system functions effectively is crucial. This involves training and equipping law enforcement agencies, providing resources to the judiciary, and promoting accountability at all levels.
We need to implement comprehensive police reform, including training in human rights, community policing, and de-escalation techniques, encourage community engagement to build trust between law enforcement and the public and establish independent oversight bodies or commissions to investigate allegations of police misconduct and extrajudicial killings. These bodies should have the authority to hold officers accountable for their actions.
There is need to launch awareness campaigns to educate both law enforcement and the general public about human rights and the consequences of extrajudicial killings and promote a culture of respect for human life.
We can equip police officers with body cameras to provide transparency and accountability during interactions with the public, encourage community involvement in policing by establishing community policing programs.
This can help build trust and reduce the likelihood of extrajudicial actions.
Preventing extrajudicial killings is a long-term process that requires a multidimensional approach. It’s important for Nigerian authorities, civil society, and the international community to work together to address this serious human rights concern.
There seems to be low level of awareness of the provisions of the law especially when considered against the killing of lawyer Omobolanle Raheem by a trigger happy cop?
Yes, the low level of awareness is the reason why we have to continue the advocacy. It is low for now but we will continue to create the awareness because that is a habit that has been formed over a long period of time.
You were the only Nigerian that attended an international conference on Restorative Justice in Hong Kong a couple of years ago. How has it benefit Nigeria’s criminal justice system?
Restorative justice is an alternative approach to the traditional criminal justice system and it focuses on repairing the harm caused by a crime by involving victims, offenders, and the community in a collaborative process.
Restorative justice encourages the active involvement of the community in addressing crime. In Nigeria, where community bonds are strong, this approach can help in resolving conflicts and rebuilding trust within communities. The programs often lead to lower rates of reoffending compared to traditional punitive measures. This can help alleviate the issue of overcrowded prisons in Nigeria.
Under the system, victims have a more active role in the process, which can provide them with a sense of closure, satisfaction, and healing. This can be particularly important in a country like Nigeria where crime victims often lack access to justice.
Restorative justice can be adapted to respect cultural norms and values, which is crucial in a diverse country like Nigeria. It allows for a more culturally sensitive and inclusive approach to justice. This type of programs can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to maintaining a large and costly prison system. This can free up resources for other essential public services.
Nigeria faces various conflicts, including inter-communal disputes. Restorative justice can be used to address these conflicts peacefully and promote reconciliation. It aligns with human rights principles by focusing on rehabilitation and reintegration rather than punitive measures, which can help Nigeria improve its human rights record.
How many states have started implementing Restorative Justice System and what are you doing to get more states to buy into that system of justice?
It is important to note that implementing restorative justice requires careful planning, training, and community support. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution and should be integrated as part of a broader criminal justice system reform in Nigeria.
For the above reasons some states that are not aware or don’t have the capacity to train and integrate this approach are not yet implementing it.
But with the exception of Lagos State that is actively using it within its criminal justice system, other states are yet to appreciate the advantages of this.
I have done memos to some states like Enugu state government but did not yet get a positive response. I am still working on other states and making efforts to see if the Federal Government can integrate it within the criminal justice administration.
Are you fulfilled?
Yes, I am fulfilled because the efforts of CRIVIFON were recognized with many awards such as “Reach for The Star Award” from the US Department of Justice, Crime Reporters of Nigeria (CRAN) and several others which highlighted the organization’s dedication and impact in the field.
Activism requires sacrifices, devotion, high level of commitments, how has it affected your home?
Activism can have both positive and challenging impacts on one’s family life. It made my family members to become more informed about important social issues, fostering meaningful discussions and understanding among my family members. It has also instilled in me strong values and a sense of empowerment in family members, teaching them the importance of standing up for what they believe in. However, I established clear boundaries between activism and family time. I allocate specific hours or days for activism-related activities to avoid overwhelming family life. Above all those I have a very supportive husband and children
