The Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (ROLAC) has trained Plateau State judges, magistrates and security agents in criminal justice data collection mechanisms.

The training held in Jos was in collaboration with the Justice Sector Reform Team (JSRT) in the state.

Declaring the training open on Tuesday, the state Chief Justice,  Justice David Mann, described the exercise as “timely.”

Mr Mann, represented by Justice Arum Ashom, thanked ROLAC and its partners for organising the training.

He said that the exercise would strengthen administration of criminal justice and ensure effective justice sector reform in the state.

Mr Mann, who extolled the importance of accurate and reliable data to the justice sector, said that the training would expose participants to contemporary techniques of justice reform.

“Quality justice planning and reform cannot be achieved without reliable, accurate and dependable data.

“For any institution to function effectively, there must be reliable data which is not merely a collection of figures but properly collected and analysed.

“The judiciary requires accurate data covering criminal cases filed, pending cases, disposal rate, nature of cases, bail applications, and sentences, among other indicators. Such information allows us to identify bottlenecks in criminal justice and take appropriate steps to address them,” he said.

Mr Mann explained that Plateau’s approach to data collection was beyond mere compilation of statistics, adding that special attention was usually given to accuracy, consistency, completeness, timeliness, standardisation, confidentiality and responsible use of data.

He called on the JSRT in the state to support reforms that are informed by evidence rather than assumption.

Earlier, the Coordinator of ROLAC in Plateau State, Mantim Dala, said that the training was supported by International Idea and funded by the European Union.

He said that the exercise aimed at ensuring proper criminal justice data collection, analysis, reporting and evidence-based decision-making.

He noted, “It will strengthen the practical capacity of the JSRT to collect, validate, analyse, interpret and report accurate criminal justice data using the existing data collection and reporting template.

“It will also help them to harmonise priority criminal justice indicators, data definition, reporting responsibilities and inter-agency data sharing arrangements across participating justice institution.

“This exercise will equip the participants to apply criminal justice data to identify trends and institutional bottlenecks and inform policy and operational decisions.”

(NAN)