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Tag: PPDC

  • PPDC secures release of 60 detainees, pays N5m fines

    PPDC secures release of 60 detainees, pays N5m fines

    •Equips 24 courts with speech-to-text technology

    The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has said the organisation paid over N5 million in fines to secure the freedom of more than 60 convicted detainees,

     Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Lucy Abagi, said the PPDC supported jail delivery exercises to decongest facilities across several states.

     Speaking at the 2025 Access to Justice Parley in Abuja, themed ‘Justice, Security, and Governance — A Unified Agenda for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development,’ Abagi said the organisation remained focused on making justice work for every Nigerian.

     The CEO said under its Court Administration and Case Management Initiative, the PPDC equipped 24 courts, across Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Oyo states with speech-to-text technology, replacing slow manual systems and helping courts record proceedings in real time.

     She restated the commitment of the organisation to building a fair, transparent, and accountable justice system in Nigeria, as it empowered over 20,000 detainees through its flagship Access to Justice Parley.

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     “Through the Reforming Pretrial Detention in Nigeria Project (Phase II), PPDC has provided free legal representation to over 20,009 detainees, leading to the release of 8,552 individuals who had been unlawfully detained without trial.

     “The organisation’s Police Duty Solicitors Scheme, now operational in 50 police stations across the country, ensures that suspects receive immediate legal support at the point of arrest, reducing arbitrary detentions and easing congestion in correctional facilities,” she said.

     Highlighting the Centre’s push for technology-driven justice, Abagi said the organisation had upgraded the Correctional Information Management System in 16 custodial centres, improving inmate data tracking and case management.

     She said the PPDC, in partnership with the FCT Judiciary, also introduced an electronic filing and case management system to digitise court processes, while a collaboration with the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) has produced a digital case monitoring tool that tracks legal aid cases nationwide.

  • PPDC secures release of 60 detainees, pays N5m fines

    PPDC secures release of 60 detainees, pays N5m fines

    The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has said the organisation paid over N5 million in fines to secure the freedom of more than 60 convicted detainees,

    Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Lucy Abagi, said the PPDC supported jail delivery exercises to decongest facilities across several states.

    Speaking at the 2025 Access to Justice Parley in Abuja, theme: “Justice, Security, and Governance — A Unified Agenda for Nigeria’s Sustainable Development,” Abagi said the organisation remains focused on making justice work for every Nigerian.

    The CEO said under its Court Administration and Case Management Initiative, the PPDC equipped 24 courts, across Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Oyo States with speech-to-text technology, replacing slow manual systems and helping courts record proceedings in real time.

    She restated the commitment of the organisation to building a fair, transparent, and accountable justice system in Nigeria, as it empowered over 20,000 detainees through its flagship Access to Justice Parley. 

    “Through the Reforming Pretrial Detention in Nigeria Project (Phase II), PPDC has provided free legal representation to over 20,009 detainees, leading to the release of 8,552 individuals who had been unlawfully detained without trial.

    “The organisation’s Police Duty Solicitors Scheme, now operational in 50 police stations across the country, ensures that suspects receive immediate legal support at the point of arrest, reducing arbitrary detentions and easing congestion in correctional facilities,” she said.

    Highlighting the Centre’s push for technology-driven justice, Abagi said the organisation has upgraded the Correctional Information Management System in 16 custodial centres, improving inmate data tracking and case management.

    She said the PPDC, in partnership with the FCT Judiciary, also introduced an electronic filing and case management system to digitise court processes, while a collaboration with the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACON) has produced a digital case monitoring tool that tracks legal aid cases nationwide.

    Additionally, she said the PPDC facilitated over 2,370 virtual court sessions, distributed 3,000 copies of policy manuals on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act,ACJA, and trained 1,746 judges, prosecutors, and investigators to strengthen justice delivery.

    “We are building a justice system that is transparent, data-driven, and human-centered,” Abagi noted. “What we have achieved so far is only the beginning of the transformation Nigeria deserves,” Abagi added.

    Head of Justice, Integrity, and Health Unit at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ,(UNODC), Melissa Omena praised PPDC’s leadership in advancing justice reforms in Nigeria.

    “UNODC is proud to walk alongside Nigeria in strengthening justice, security, and governance — three pillars essential to sustainable development,” Omena said.

    She commended Nigeria’s adoption of the UN Common Position on Incarceration, which promotes a shift from punitive to rehabilitative justice, and highlighted the deployment of virtual court systems in Lagos, Kaduna, Gombe, and the FCT , supported by UNODC, INL, and PPDC.

    A representative of the Comptroller-General of Corrections, Jerry Dauda, described justice, security, and governance as “interdependent pillars that sustain peace and development,” while reaffirming the Service’s commitment to correctional reforms anchored on rehabilitation and reintegration.

    Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Anthony Ojukwu, SAN, said access to justice remains a fundamental human right that underpins democracy and sustainable growth.

    The NHRC executive secretary, who was represented by Pwadumdi Okoh called for continued reforms based on human rights, inclusivity, and accountability, noting that Nigeria’s adoption of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights would help balance national security with respect for human dignity.

    Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission, Prof. Dakas Dakas, SAN, commended the PPDC for its strategic leadership in advancing justice reforms and promoting transparency across Nigeria’s justice institutions. 

    The Professor of Law emphasised that sustainable development is impossible without a justice system that protects human rights and ensures equal access for all citizens. 

    Dakas called for deeper collaboration between government institutions, civil society, and the private sector to strengthen the rule of law and ensure that reforms translate into tangible benefits for ordinary Nigerians.

    He noted that the Commission is currently reviewing several laws to align them with international human rights standards and the evolving realities of the digital age.

    According to him, “the modernisation of Nigeria’s legal and judicial frameworks must go hand in hand with investments in technology, human capacity, and institutional accountability.” 

    He lauded PPDC’s digital justice innovations, describing them as a model for other African countries seeking to modernise their justice systems through data-driven tools and citizen-centered approaches.

  • PPDC provides free legal aid to 20,900 detainees

    PPDC provides free legal aid to 20,900 detainees

    The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has supported indigent detainees with free legal representation and works to speed up criminal trials.

    The organisation said that it achieved this through its ongoing Reform Pre-Trial Detention Project that is helping to ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of their social status, have access to justice without financial barriers.

    The organisation added that the initiative had already provided legal aid to over 20,900 indigent detainees, resulting in several being granted bail, discharged, or convicted after delayed cases were finally heard.

    Head of Programmes for PPDC, Aniekwe Ogechukwu said this during a Justice Walk in Abuja at the weekend ahead of the Access to Justice Parley next week.

    Ogechukwu decried the loss of public trust in the judiciary.

    He said many Nigerians now believe justice can be bought, a perception he said the organisation was determined to change through its interventions.

    Read Also: Opposition behind claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria – Wike

    Ogechukwu explained that the Reform Pre-Trial Detention Project—a three-year initiative that began in 2023—operates across five states: Plateau, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory.

    “The project ensures that, no matter your background or status, you still have the right to justice. It is free, and it helps those who cannot afford legal fees,” he said.

    He revealed that through the deployment of a new case management system and virtual court hearing technology, delays caused by logistics challenges—such as lack of transport from custodial centres to courts—had been drastically reduced.

    “We can now pull up case files in four minutes, and judges can preside virtually from anywhere in the world,” he noted.

    The programme, supported by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), also focuses on educating citizens about their rights during arrests and trials.

    Ogechukwu stressed that the PPDC’s goal was to make justice accessible to the poor and marginalised, not just the elite.

    “Many interventions in Nigeria tend to benefit the powerful. Our aim is to take justice to the grassroots and empower citizens to speak out for themselves,” he said.

  • PPDC provides free legal aid to 20,900 detainees

    PPDC provides free legal aid to 20,900 detainees

    The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has supported indigent detainees with free legal representation and works to speed up criminal trials.

    The organisation said that it achieved this through its ongoing Reform Pre-Trial Detention Project that is helping to ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of their social status, have access to justice without financial barriers.

    The organisation added that the initiative had already provided legal aid to over 20,900 indigent detainees, resulting in several being granted bail, discharged, or convicted after delayed cases were finally heard.

    Head of Programmes for PPDC, Aniekwe Ogechukwu said this during a Justice Walk in Abuja at the weekend ahead of the Access to Justice Parley next week.

    Ogechukwu decried the loss of public trust in the judiciary.

    He said many Nigerians now believe justice can be bought, a perception he said the organisation was determined to change through its interventions.

    Ogechukwu explained that the Reform Pre-Trial Detention Project—a three-year initiative that began in 2023—operates across five states: Plateau, Nasarawa, Adamawa, Kaduna, and the Federal Capital Territory.

    “The project ensures that, no matter your background or status, you still have the right to justice. It is free, and it helps those who cannot afford legal fees,” he said.

    He revealed that through the deployment of a new case management system and virtual court hearing technology, delays caused by logistics challenges—such as lack of transport from custodial centres to courts—had been drastically reduced.

    “We can now pull up case files in four minutes, and judges can preside virtually from anywhere in the world,” he noted.

    The programme, supported by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), also focuses on educating citizens about their rights during arrests and trials.

    Ogechukwu stressed that the PPDC’s goal was to make justice accessible to the poor and marginalised, not just the elite.

    “Many interventions in Nigeria tend to benefit the powerful. Our aim is to take justice to the grassroots and empower citizens to speak out for themselves,” he said.

  • PPDC launches $4,000 grant for journalists to report on corruption, others

    PPDC launches $4,000 grant for journalists to report on corruption, others

    A Civil Society Organisation, the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), has launched a $4,000 Budeshi mini-grant to empower journalists to amplify issues relating to corruption, procurement fraud, and governance challenges in the country.

    Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Lucy Abagi, disclosed this at a media convening in Abuja on Monday.

    Abagi said the grant is designed to support journalists and media outlets who are willing to go beyond the surface, digging into governance challenges, uncovering accountability gaps, and amplifying stories that might otherwise remain hidden.

    She said the fund would be shared by four outstanding investigative journalists, adding that the portal will open in two weeks. 

    Abagi said, “I am also excited to share that as part of our commitment to deepening this collaboration and fueling rigorous storytelling and investigative journalism, we will be launching a $4,000 Budeshi investigative journalism grant.

    “This small but strategic fund is designed to support journalists and media outfits who are willing to go beyond the surface, digging into governance challenges, uncovering accountability gaps, and amplifying stories that might otherwise remain hidden.

    “We hope this grant will create partnerships between reporters and CSOs, enabling evidence-based investigations that elevate civic discourse and drive reform.

    “This convening is an opportunity to interrogate the status quo: to ask how we can deepen trust between journalist and sources; how we can make complex governance data accessible and compelling; how we can protect the independence of journalism while enhancing its ability to partner with civic actors without losing critical distance; and how we can ensure that transparency is not a one-off headline, but a persistent public expectation.”

    Abagi highlighted the organisation’s achievements in procurement transparency, justice sector reform, and civic participation.

    Read Also: PPDC opens portal for $7,500 mini-grant to power grassroots accountability

    She noted that when citizens’ stories are reflected in the media and backed by credible evidence, change often follows.

    The PPDC boss noted that there are still significant challenges to overcome, including unheard voices, excluded communities, and systems that resist scrutiny.

    The Communications Manager, Nnenna Eze, outlined the eligibility criteria for the grant to include: being a reporter for a credible media organisation, having a proven track record of uncovering and highlighting issues related to corruption, procurement fraud, and governance challenges, committing to publish the report across various media platforms, meeting specific submission deadlines for the story among others.

    Eze explained that these criteria aim to ensure that the grant supports high-quality investigative journalism that promotes transparency and accountability.

  • PPDC launches $7,500 grant to track procurement processes in states

    PPDC launches $7,500 grant to track procurement processes in states

    The Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has launched a $7,500 Small Grant Fund to support 36 grassroots organisations in the country to track procurement processes in states.

    Chief Executive Officer of PPDC, Lucy Abagi, unveiled the initiative during a press conference in Abuja on Monday.

    Abagi was recognised as the Procurement Transparency Advocate of the Year at the 7th African Procurement and Supply Chain Summit in Lagos recently.

    She said: “This fund is our way of empowering local voices to lead transparency efforts in their communities.

    “It marks the beginning of a Pan-African campaign to build a continent-wide network of procurement accountability champions.”

    She said that each participating organisation will receive $200 in mini-grants to support their local procurement monitoring activities.

    Abagi said applications for the grant will open on 31 July via the upgraded Budeshi – Nigeria’s first Open Contracting Data Standard platform developed in partnership with Devon Technologies.

    The PPDC boss urged local civil society organisations to take advantage of the opportunity to register and strengthen their impact.

    She added: “We are empowering local NGOs to track 2023–2024 federal procurement projects in their communities.

    “The best organisations will be recognised with the Best Procurement Monitor Award based on performance and impact.”

    Speaking of her award, the PPDC chief said: “This honour is not just about me. It belongs to our team at PPDC, to our partners, and to every citizen who has demanded accountability from the government.”

    She reaffirmed PPDC’s commitment to ensuring public resources serve the people, noting their work through policy advocacy, community engagement, and technology, particularly through Budeshi.

    Also speaking, the Board Chairman of PPDC, Chibuzor Ekwekwuo, praised the organisation’s long standing role in advancing procurement reforms.

    He said: “PPDC played a pivotal role in the passage of Nigeria’s Public Procurement Act. From federal policy to grassroots monitoring, PPDC has driven transparency across multiple levels.”

    Ekwekwuo noted the centre’s contributions in establishing Africa’s first procurement observatory, securing a World Bank award, and supporting similar efforts in Uganda and Malawi.

    Read Also: PPDC trains 60 journalists, CSOs, others on public procurement in Kaduna

    He added that despite PPDC’s achievements, the organisation remains committed to “aspirational goals” and emphasised the importance of partnering with the media to ensure accountability.

    A representative of Devon Technologies, Ireoduwa Omojola, said the portal simplifies project registration and monitoring for civil society groups, government agencies, and the public.

    She said: “The new Budeshi interface is mobile-friendly and allows users to apply, upload documents, and track their applications. It also enables citizens and CSOs to comment, upload photos, and provide feedback on projects in real-time.”

    Omojola added that the platform’s dynamic dashboard visualises procurement data across states, offering a clear picture of awards and project stages.

    “Through this, we aim to activate citizens’ power and scale transparency into a Pan-African movement,” she said.

  • PPDC trains 60 journalists, CSOs, others on public procurement in Kaduna

    PPDC trains 60 journalists, CSOs, others on public procurement in Kaduna

    Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) has trained over 60 journalists, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), development monitors, Persons With Disabilities and other critical stakeholders on public procurement in Kaduna State.

     The Gender Mainstreaming and Inclusion Officer, PPDC, Precious Adigwe during a 5-day intensive Boot Camp training on public procurement explained that the training was  aimed at promoting a more equitable, transparent, and accountable public procurement process in Kaduna State.

    According to her, public procurement plays a crucial role in channeling public funds toward acquiring goods, services, and infrastructure that serve the needs of the citizens. “It is a powerful tool for shaping our communities, driving economic development, and enhancing the overall quality of life.”

    Adigwe said that programme was aimed at empowering the participants to become active watchdogs and champions for transparent and accountable public procurement practices, adding that the initiative also aims to improve inclusion in public procurement.

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    She reiterated that the training was to strengthen the capacity and knowledge of participants in public procurement laws, transparency and accountability, E-procurement processes, and gender inclusion through public finance management for gender-responsive procurement, she said.

    “We have also instituted new knowledge on the area of gender inclusion in public finance management and gender responsive procurement which is one of the key and entry points that we came to achieve in this programme.”

    She therefore said that there is a need to improve women participation in public procurement processes, adding that their capacity and ability need to be strengthened to actively participate.

    One of the participants, Ibrahim Idris from Transparency and Accountability in Totality promised to use the knowledge he acquired to ensure that citizens participate actively in government projects.

    “This training exposed us to so many things that we didn’t know before, especially the inclusion aspect. I will use the knowledge I garnered from this training to help my community members to be more engaging in governance,” he said.