Criminal Justice Act: Delay In Its Domestication Populates Crime Rates – NBA Leader

A vice Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Osogbo Branch, Barrister Felix Ukaegbu has described delay in domestication of Administration of Criminal Justice Act in some States of the Federation by their State Law makers as a calculated ploy to populate Crime rates in Nigeria.

Barrister Ukaegbu disclosed this as a Guest Speaker at the Social Development Forum organized by Justice Development Peace Makers’ Centre of Osogbo Diocese in Osun State with th theme “THE DOMESTICATION OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT IN OSUN STATE .”

According to him, Administration of Criminal Justice Act is a Concurrent List which must be dutifully exercised by the both Federal and State Governments respectively but it is so sad to know that reverse has been the case going by Statistical Media Report indices in some States of the Federation.

” Criminal Justice System functions as a chain, any weak link in the chain will hamper the effectiveness of the entire system. It also involves the full participation of the whole Society to be effective as the roles of Private Citizens, Private Complaints and Private Prosecutors cannot be overemphasized in the Justice Dispensation.” He maintained.

He also stressed further that it was a legal provision operated under three holistic Approaches such as Pre-trial, Trial and Post trial situations with the aims of promoting efficient Management of Criminal Justice Institutions, speedy Dispensation of Justice, aversion of Society from Crimes and Protection of Rights and Interests of the Defendants and Victims.

He added that “it was imperative for all the State Houses of Assembly in the Country, Osun State in particular to as a matter of urgency pass the Bill into law and ensure its enforcement in order to avoid Crime density in Nigeria.

In his Address of welcome, the General Coordinator of Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Centre, JDPMC, Reverend Father Peter Akinkunmi, represented by his Deputy Reverend Father Anthony Adebayo charged Nigerians to always stand for what is right especially that of the Poor who have no wherewithal to fight for their Justice.

Speaking on behalf of the National Human Rights Commission, the Osun State Coordinator, Mr. Abayomi Ogundele and the Nigeria Police Force, Officer in charge of the legal matters in the Osun Command, Barrister Okafor Felix expressed their readiness towards the holistic Cause by giving it deserved effort and attention at their various Capacities.

In their separate remarks, the Director General of Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Wale Idowu represented by the Deputy Director News and Current Affair Mrs. Abimbola Babatunde, the State Director of National Orientation Agency Mrs. Beatrice Olasinde and a representative from Good Governance Committee, Pastor Orekunle lamented on the rise of Prison Congestion resultant from delay of Justice in the Judiciary System.” The prison congestion level is becoming un becoming and it is high time Government at all levels rose to this Challenge before getting out of hands.

“According to the Ilesa Prison Statistical records available in Osun State one hundred and seventy four had been convicted while six hundred and ninety nine inmates waiting trial. Not only that but also at ife Prison only fifty eight people had been convicted while two hundred and seventy nine are awaiting trial. In all; we have one thousand, two hundred and twenty in the Osun State Prison alone. This is very abnormal.” They affirmed.

While commending the Legal Holder of JDPMC, Bishop, Catholic Diocese of Osogbo, Most Reverend John Akin Oyèjọlá, participants at the programme
emphasized on the need for all relevant stakeholders to replicate the spirit at ensuring the survival of the aims and objectives of Domestication of Administration of Criminal Justice Act so that Nigeria can have crisis – free Society.

Expressing his gratitude, the Programme Supervisor Barr. Henry Okereke reaffirmed the Commitment of the Justice Development and Peace Makers’ Centre to Justice and equity as well as Peace and tranquility of the Osun State and Nigeria as a whole.