DTHA holds public hearing on Administration of Criminal Justice Bill

Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Rules, Business, Legal and Judicial Matters, yesterday, held a public hearing on Delta State  Administration of Criminal Justice Bill with critical stakeholders canvassing the reform of the criminal justice procedure in order to enhance quick dispensation of justice in the state. 

The stakeholders at the public hearing, held at the press centre of the House of Assembly complex, included officials of the state Ministry of Justice, representatives of the state Chief Judge and the Customary Court of Appeal, members of the Bar and Bench, Nigeria Police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Prisons Service, human rights groups, the muslim community among others. 

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the Committee, Mr Reuben Izeze, said that the bill was people-oriented, hence the need for the public hearing for stakeholders to make input geared towards reforming the state’s justice delivery system. He said that the public hearing would enable stakeholders to canvass their different positions on how to take the Administration of Criminal Justice System from the colonial era to the present age, where justice will be delivered rather than judgment. 

Izeze, who represents Ughelli South constituency in the House,  noted that the Bill would help provide a holistic approach to criminal justice, where the rights of suspects will be protected in line with the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. Other members of the committee,  including Daniel Mayuku, Dennis Omovie and Evance  Iwurie, said the House was committed to making laws that would stand the test of time in line with modern day realities. 

They expressed hope that stakeholders would make useful contributions that would assist the committee to come out with a law that is all embracing. The lawmakers while thanking the stakeholders for their contributions to the proposed law, noted that it was the first time Delta State was making its own criminal justice system as it has been using the adopted one from the defunct Bendel state. 

Chief Judge of the state,  Justice Marshall Umukoro, re-presented by Justice Godwin Briki-Okolosi commended the House for proposing the Bill, saying it was a right step in the right direction as Lagos, Ondo, Enugu and Anambra states have already domesticated the law, while other states such as Delta was already working to domesticate the federal Act.

vanguard news.