DTSG To Review Administration Of Criminal Justice Law

By Onoriode Etatsemi

An Executive Bill for the review of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law would soon be forewarded to the Delta State House of Assembly for Legislative action.

The State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Isaiah Bozimo Esq. gave the hint in Asaba while addressing newsmen.

He stated that the review of the Law was necessary and that the inputs of various stakeholders on how best to improve the Administration of Criminal Law was sought during the Stakeholders Summit organised by the Ministry of Justice earlier this year.

Mr. Bozimo, who stated that the need for a review of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law stemmed from the noticeable difficulties still experienced in the implementation of the Law.

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He stated that for the Law to perform at its optimum and achieve its purpose, it needed to be improved.

The Attorney-General decried the slow pace of trials, the awaiting trial syndrome which has meant that the population of inmates at various Correctional Centres were persons who were yet to be convicted.

He stated that about 80% of inmates were awaiting trials with only 20% having been convicted.

Mr. Ibozimo also said that the Ministry was working on reforming both the Administration of Criminal and Civil Justice.

He stated that the Ministry of Justice was involved in addressing some issues that citizens and residents of Delta State were facing.

Speaking further, he stated that administrative processes by Government Agencies, would soon be regulated by Law once the Bill on Administrative Procedure was passed by the State House of Assembly.

Mr. Bozimo said that there had been several complaints emanating from the manner some executive agencies performed their functions which are perceived as high handed, especially in the area of enforcement of their rules and regulations.

The Attorney-General stated that the State Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa had already forwarded an Executive Bill known as Administrative Procedure Bill to the State House of Assembly to address these complaints.

He added that the Bill would seek to compel all executive agencies to publish their rules and regulations either in the State website, their own website, their official notice board or in a Gazette to enable the public have adequate knowledge of their rules and regulations.