Delta CJ warns magistrates against bail for murder suspects | Nairalaw

Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Marshal Umukoro, has warned
magistrates in the state against granting murder suspects bail
without recourse to the feelings and sentiments of the public and
victims’ bereaved family members.

Making specific reference to a magistrate who allegedly
undermined the sentiments of a bereaved family to release a murder
suspect on bail, Umukoro said a panel of inquiry would be set up to
investigate the circumstances which led to it. He noted that the
remains of the victim were still lying in the morgue.

Justice Umukoro said granting bail to murder suspects usually
creats unnecessary impression that the judicial arm of government
is insensitive to the feelings and aspirations of the society.

He charged magistrates in the state to peruse and abreast
themselves with the Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice
Law, 2017 to enable them exercise discretion judiciously in
granting suspects, who were charged for capital offences, bail.

The chief judge spoke while addressing magistrates, members of
the Nigerian Bar Association and stakeholders in the administration
of justice at the conclusion of the 2018 tour of the five prison
formations across the state.

“Some magistrates are not abreast with the provisions of the
Administration of Criminal Justice Law…” he said.