A People-Centred Solution to Justice in Imo State, Nigeria

HiiL’s 2018 JNS study found that 71% of people in Imo State, Nigeria face a new legal problem every four years. The path to resolution is often challenging. People report high costs, lengthy processes, and a lack of trust in the justice system causing their problems to remain unresolved. While many turn to informal mechanisms such as traditional rulers or village elders, these pathways can lack consistency and enforceability, leaving justice seekers without a fair or lasting resolution.

This case study examines the journey of the Community Justice Centre (CJC) in Imo State, a solution designed to make justice accessible, affordable, and approachable for everyone. The report details the development of the CJC from its initial design by a diverse group of stakeholders, to its implementation as a pilot in Owerri.

Developed through HiiL’s Justice Innovation Lab (JIL), the CJC is the result of a data-driven, human-centred design process. The Lab brought together diverse local stakeholders, including the Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, police, and legal practitioners to design a solution which addresses the specific needs of people in Imo State. 

The CJC operates as a “one-stop shop,” providing accessible, affordable services that prioritise the user’s desired outcomes.  Upon contacting the centre, clients are guided by trained staff who provide preliminary advice, psychological support, and pathways to resolution, whether through the centre itself, such as mediation, or via referrals to other processes such as lawyers and courts. This approach creates a vital link between the formal and informal justice systems, ensuring that resolutions are not only culturally accepted but also formally recognised.

Thus far, the pilot has demonstrated that a people-centred approach can restore hope and dignity to justice seekers. Users report feeling welcomed and respected, often after having been ignored or marginalised by other institutions along their justice journeys.

As the CJC moves into its next phase, with the aim of scaling across the state and securing government integration, this study highlights the potential for people-centred approaches to bridge the gap between formal and informal systems, while diving deeper into some of the challenges the pilot has faced. The CJC demonstrates how innovative, community-led solutions can be adapted to real-world complexities to effectively meet people’s needs and close the justice gap.