Gyang Bere, Jos
Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has inaugurated a Justice Sector Reform Team which will drive and monitor the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.
Lalong said the smooth and effective dispensation of justice to the citizens of Plateau State is a very important aspect of his government’s vision which believes in the rule of law.
Lalong disclosed this on Tuesday during the inauguration of the Justice Sector Reform Team, held at Government House Rayfield, Jos, Plateau State.
He said: “The establishment of the Justice Sector Reform Team in the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Plateau State will address some of the vexed problems facing the Criminal Justice Sector. These problems such as delay in the prosecution of cases, occasioned by the antics of defence counsels who often seek frivolous adjournments, stay of proceedings and interlocutory appeals with the aim of frustrating speedy trials of criminal cases will be eliminated.”
Lalong expressed hope that congestion within Correctional Service facilities often caused by the large number of detainees awaiting trial, indiscriminate arrest and detention of persons by some law enforcement agencies and the absence of effective coordination among the institutions involved in Criminal Justice Administration will be drastically curtailed.
He charged members of the team to ensure that they make the dispensation of justice seamless so that people will not have any reason to resort to self-help or loose confidence in the courts.
Chief Justice of Plateau State, Justice Yakubu Gyang Dakwak who is the chairman of the team, said the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law had come up with solutions to most of the loopholes in the procedural laws, by entrenching provisions that limit the number and frequency of adjournments that may be granted in criminal trials as well as abolishing the grant of stay of proceedings while interlocutory appeals are being pursued.
He appealed to all the members of the team to use their positions as representatives of various frontline agencies to promote the dispensation of justice to all persons in the State.
Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Barrister Chrysantus Ahmadu disclosed that because of the work that had already started under the administration of criminal justice law, Plateau State had more convicts than awaiting trial inmates at its correctional centres as some interventions had started.