Justice Joel Agya stresses robust systems to boost criminal trials and public confidence.
The Chief Judge of Taraba, Justice Joel Agya, has said that witness protection and clear sentencing guidelines are crucial for an effective fight against crime and corruption. Speaking at a workshop in Jalingo, he warned that exposing witnesses to intimidation or harm undermines justice and encourages impunity.
The One-Day Stakeholders Workshop on Witness Protection and Sentencing Guidelines 2026, organised by Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN) with support from the MacArthur Foundation, focused on institutionalising plea bargaining and consistent sentencing to reduce case backlogs, conserve judicial time, and ensure fairness.
Agya emphasised that laws and guidelines are only as effective as the people applying them, urging continuous capacity building and stakeholder engagement. The event brought together judges, prosecutors, investigators, legal practitioners, and civil society actors to strengthen Taraba’s criminal justice system.
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