Delay, Major Challenge Of Nigerian Criminal Justice System ― Oyo CJ

“Delay in the dispensation of justice is one of the major
challenges facing the Nigerian criminal justice system and has been
a subject of several discussions and interventions in recent times.
Criminal trials are often delayed especially in cases where persons
standing trial have the means to engage the services of legal
practitioners who could exploit the gaps in law to the advantage of
their clients especially in delaying proceedings.”

These were the words of Justice Muntar Abimbola, the Chief Judge
of Oyo state while moderating at a workshop on the implementation
of the administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and
Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ) Laws organised by the
Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) with support
of the MacArthur Foundation at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Ibadan.

The training which the Director General of NIALS, Prof. Adedeji
Adekunle (SAN) said is aimed at deepening the understanding of the
ACJA and strengthen implementation of the act in line with the aim
of the institute to undertake research in law and other related
studies and expand the frontiers of knowledge of law, had in
attendance prosecuting officers, judges and senior lawyers from
Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states. He added that since the act was
established in 2015, many states have adopted it with important
variations and differences.

Speaking further on the issue, Justice Munta Abimbola stated
that delay is especially common in high profile corruption cases
involving politically exposed persons, adding that the Supreme
Court has in recent times lamented and frowned at these delay
tactics by legal practitioners, noting that “the criminal justice
system was faced with several challenges and delays in trials had
unnecessarily lengthened the trial processes and this no doubt
portrayed justice delivery as being ineffective which promoted the
negative perception of the public in this sector,” he said.

“It becomes necessary to have a holistic and innovative reform
of the existing legislation in order to address the incidences of
delayed trials and improve the efficiency of the Criminal Justice
Administration in Nigeria. Thus the Administration of Criminal
Justice Act of May 2015 is a product of these efforts which have as
its objective to ensure the Administration of Criminal Justice
System that promotes efficient management of the criminal justice
institutions, speedy dispensation of justice protection of society
from crime and protection of the rights and interest of a suspect,
the defendant and victims of crime in Nigeria,” Justice Abimbola
stated.

Then Chief Judge concluded that the South-west is a leading
light in the judiciary system in Nigeria, noting especially the
exploits of the Lagos judiciary which is being replicated in Oyo
state, adding that there is no going back on the steps already
taken.

Also speaking, the Director of Public Prosecution in Oyo state,
Mr S.O. Adeoye, his counterpart from Ogun state, Olusegun Olaotan
and the representative of the Lagos State Director of Public
Prosecution, Bunmi Olugasa, all highlighted the need for the
sensitisation that the workshop is offering and the need to share
information on advancements and share experiences in an informal
setting while learning.

Adeoye specifically noted that since the Oyo state judiciary
passed the law in 2016, they had read through and the Ministry of
Justice had ensured strict compliance with the provisions.

Atiku of PDP Finally File Petition against Buhari, APC
Victory

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
in the February 23 rescheduled presidential election, Atiku
Abubakar has finally filed his petition against the victory of
President Muhammadu Buhari at the poll.

Atiku and his party are challenging the election of Buhari and
the his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the grounds
of alleged massive riggings, malpractices and non compliance
substantially with the electoral laws.

In the petition filed on Monday, Atiku and the PDP are praying
that they be declared winner of the February 23 presidential
election.

In the alternative, the two petitioners prayed the Presidential
Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT) to nullify the poll and ordered
for a fresh election that will be conducted in lines with
provisions of the electoral laws.

The National Legal Adviser of the PDP Emmanuel Enoidem,
confirmed to journalists at the Court of Appeal, venue of the PEPT
that the petition has been filled.

Enoidem said that the PDP and its presidential candidate have
already assembled a powerful legal team, comprising 20 Senior
Advocate of Nigeria SANs and other retinue of lawyers who will
establish the fact of the petition.

He disclosed that over 400 witnesses have been assembled to
testify during the hearing of the petition.

On the order earlier granted to Atiku to inspect materials, he
said that the inspection is being carried out from the polling
units across the country.

By PRNigeria