The Lagos State Judiciary has formally introduced its Non‑Custodial Sentencing Practice Direction, a landmark reform designed to decongest correctional centres and strengthen the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.
The launch ceremony, held at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, was the product of a strategic partnership between the MacArthur Foundation and the Law Hub Development and Advocacy Centre, both long‑standing advocates of justice sector reform.
In his address, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, reaffirmed the judiciary’s resolve to entrench non‑custodial sentencing as a permanent feature of the justice system. “Non‑custodial sentencing has come to stay,” he declared, noting that evolving societal realities demand innovative approaches to punishment.
Justice Alogba explained that the new framework is part of a broader reform agenda aimed at addressing Nigeria’s chronic prison congestion. By promoting alternatives such as community service, probation, and restorative justice, the judiciary seeks to reduce costs, rehabilitate offenders, and avoid the stigma often associated with incarceration.
He further stated that the Practice Direction, with its detailed compendium of guidelines, will harmonise sentencing practices, provide judges with clearer direction, and minimise institutional disputes over offender supervision. Timely enforcement of judgments, he added, remains essential to sustaining public confidence in the justice system.
Delivering a goodwill message, Yvonne Darkwa‑Poku, Senior Programme Officer at the MacArthur Foundation, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the foundation’s decades‑long support for criminal justice reform. She recalled that MacArthur’s involvement pre‑dated the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in 2015 and expressed optimism about its nationwide adoption.
Darkwa‑Poku commended Lagos State for its leadership role and praised Nigerian partners whose persistence had transformed years of advocacy into concrete reforms. She emphasised that such collaborative efforts are critical to achieving lasting change in the justice sector.
In a welcome address, Mr Osita Okoro, Executive Director of the Law Hub Development and Advocacy Centre, represented by Mrs Adenike Oluwafemi, described the Practice Direction as long overdue. She highlighted the persistent challenge of custodial overcrowding, with many correctional facilities operating far beyond their intended capacity.
According to her, Lagos—often a pacesetter in judicial reforms—was the ideal jurisdiction to pioneer this framework, which equips judges with practical tools for effective non‑custodial sentencing. She acknowledged the contributions of key stakeholders, including the judiciary, the Nigerian Police Force, the Ministry of Justice, and the Nigerian Correctional Service, while lauding Justice Alogba’s “visionary leadership” and MacArthur’s “unwavering support.”
Representatives from other justice institutions also welcomed the development. Mrs Yemisi Akile, speaking for the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), noted that prison congestion has persisted despite over two decades of audits. Similarly, Charles Akinrosoye, representing the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, described the Practice Direction as a major step forward, affirming Lagos’ reputation as a trailblazer in justice reform.
