In a targeted effort to deepen legal awareness among displaced populations, law students from the American University of Nigeria (AUN) on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, conducted a sensitization campaign at the Malkohi Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, focusing on the interplay between the Adamawa State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2018 and the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law.
Held at the camp’s conference hall, the outreach addressed critical legal protections related to domestic violence, rape and sexual assault, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), emotional and psychological abuse, harmful traditional practices, as well as stalking and intimidation, offences that disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
Organized by the AUN Law Students Society (LSS) in collaboration with the AUN Honor Society (AUNHS), the initiative forms part of broader efforts to bridge the gap between statutory law and public understanding, particularly among underserved populations. The program was convened under the theme “Strengthening Justice Delivery and Victim Protection: Integrating ACJL-2018 with the VAPP Law in Adamawa State” with support from the Norwegian Embassy, Clean Foundation, the Adamawa ACJL Implementation Body, AUN LSS, and AUNHS.
Legal practitioners and advocates present at the event underscored the complementary nature of both legal frameworks. Speaking on behalf of the AUN Law Clinic and the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Ms. Stephanie S. Aondo, Assistant Manager, alongside Ms. Amira Julde Gurumpawo, Publicity Secretary of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), emphasized the functional relationship between procedural and substantive protections within the state’s justice system.
They explained that while the ACJL-2018 governs the processes of criminal justice administration, ensuring efficiency, fairness, and due process—the VAPP Law provides the substantive legal foundation for prosecuting a broad range of violent offences and safeguarding victims’ rights.
The sensitization also featured interactive sessions aimed at demystifying legal provisions for camp residents. Facilitators used simplified language and practical scenarios to explain reporting mechanisms, victims’ rights, and the role of law enforcement agencies in ensuring accountability.
One of the participants, Ms. Falmata Usman Umarufari, welcomed the initiative, noting that it helps close the information gap between formal legal systems and ordinary citizens, particularly within displaced communities that often lack access to legal education and services.
Organizers reiterated that the campaign is not only about raising awareness but also about empowerment—encouraging residents to assert their rights, report violations, and seek legal remedies when necessary.
Reported by John Abah