Center for Democracy and Development (CDD) has mourned the late civil society leader, Innocent Chukwuma, describing him as a global citizen, whose memory will be cherished as a defender of democracy, justice, and equity in Nigeria.

Chukwuma, founder and Pioneer Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation and West African Head of Ford Foundation, died on April 3, 2021.

In a statement issued yesterday, Director of CDD, Idayat Hassan, said Chukwuma was unarguably the father of modern policing reforms in Nigeria, with the new Police Act 2020 as one of his memorable achievements.

“As an activist, Innocent Chukwuma was a creative, committed, compassionate and strategic leader. He was one of the civil society activists, who fought to entrench the hardwon democracy currently being enjoyed in Nigeria.

“His dedication to democratic ideals, human rights, and good governance led him to establish the CLEEN Foundation, to promote public safety, protection, and access to justice.

CLEEN Foundation has evolved into one of the country’s most influential civil society organisations,” the statement reads.