By Ibrahim Abdul’Aziz, Regional Correspondent
YOLA — Members of the Bench, and Bar and other Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have expressed concern over the dearth of professionals counsels at the legal department of the Nigeria Police, Adamawa State command, describing it as an‘’ unfortunate scenario.’’
Speaking during a one-day sensitization and awareness creation workshop for CSOs on Adamawa State ACJL 2018, in Yola, season and veteran legal practitioners, as well as leaders of Civil societies in Adamawa, prevailed on the need to recruit more trained professionals for effective and efficient administration of criminal justice laws.
While giving background to the enactment of the ACJL 2018, in Adamawa state, Barr. Abdulrahman M. Iliyasu noted that ‘’ the purpose of the law is to ensure speedy dispensation of justice, serve as a mechanism that will ensure prison decongestion, build confidence in the system and to ensure that both the suspect, the defendant and victim are treated fairly.’’
He noted that the law which has two legs namely the substantive and the procedural law must be implemented concurrently for the positive innovations and provisions in the law to make the needed impact.
Iliyasu noted that the substantive aspect of the law which is the penal code cannot operate without the ACJL which is procedural law that guides the conduct of all the sectors in the administration of criminal justice right from the arrest of suspect up to the time justice is served.
‘’It’s unfortunate to note that most of the comments and accusations by CSOs, lawyers and even members of the press centered much on police and other judicial lapses been experienced.
‘’As pointed out by some of today’s participants, it’s also disheartening to note that legal department of the Nigeria Police, state command has only one or two officer manning the department.
‘’This is grossly inadequate and hence the need for recruitment of more trained legal personnel to ensure administration of criminal justice system law,’’ he urges.
In her submission, Barr. Kowiabo T. Takoni stated that the workshop was organized by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) through, RoLAC, a British Council program funded by the European Union to create awareness on the administration of criminal justice that was signed into law since 2018..
Takoni who presented an overview of ACJL 2018, noted that it will be no more feasible to arrest people in lieu and women folks have the right to get bail and surety when the law comes into full force.
“The implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in Adamawa will pave the way for women to stand as sureties.
” Nobody can be arrested in place of another person again,” she said.
According to the lawyer, timelines are now attached to the various processes that must be followed in the administration of criminal justice, noting that such innovation will in no small measure enhance the speedy dispensation of justice in the state.
The female lawyer also noted that‘’ another important innovation created by the new law is the formation of monitoring and evaluation committee, to be chaired by the chief judge of the state and the body will be responsible for the implementation of ACJL in the state.
” The committee has been constituted in Adamawa state though not fully in operation so we are already seeing to the implementation taking place,” she said.
Takoni added that another critical innovation in the law is the provision of non- custodial punishment which is a provision that prevents convicted persons from serving jail terms.
She noted that through such provision, convicts can be given probation, parole or carry out community services instead of serving jail terms.
Earlier in his welcome address, NBA chairman, Yola branch, Jibril Ibrahim Jimeta noted that the purpose of convening the workshop is to ensure that the people are adequately informed about the new law noting that the law will not record the desired milestones if the people it is meant to serve are not aware of it.
He urged participants to take the message to all nooks and crannies of the state for the benefit of the teeming people noting that the applicability of the law will be in vain if people do not understand it.
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