By Ademola Orubon, Abeokuta
The Chief Judge of Ogun State Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu has urged the State Government to equip the judiciary with appropriate infrastructure to boost the administration of criminal justice in the state.
She spoke while inaugurating a nine-man committee on Criminal Justice Administration at the Judiciary Complex, Kobape, Abeokuta, the state capital yesterday.
She said putting in place adequate facilities would better enhance administration of criminal justice and accelerate justice delivery in the state.
Justice Dipeolu said there are so many hindrances contending against efficient and effective application of the law. She therefore implored the Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun to provide the facilities needed for the full application of the law in its entirety as it would definitely enhance the administration of criminal justice.
Addressing members of the committee, Justice Dipeolu urged them to see their inauguration as a call to service to humanity. She said she looked forward to seeing that suspects, especially those on awaiting trials do not exceed the period provided in the statute books in police detention.
“I look forward to seeing that your committee ensures that all awaiting trial cases are not unnecessarily detained in prison custody beyond what is presecribed in Section 308, Section 117 (6)(d) of ACJL.
“The Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC), is expected to expedite action on all pending cases by ensuring speedy administration of justice.”
Justice Dipeolu said the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) was enacted in May 2015, noting that it was meant to bring the Federal Courts up to date in the administration of criminal justice.
She added that the State followed by enacting its ACJL on the 3rd day of April, 2018, saying that the State Judiciary and indeed, all stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice has been making use of the Law in the determination of Criminal cases across the State.
She said that the aim of the committee was to ensure the effective and efficient application of the ACJL, noting that the innovations in the ACJL were laudable and welcome.
She urged every members of the Committee to see their inauguration as a call to duty and a call to serve the citizens of the State and dear country by further enhancing and strengthening the administration of criminal justice of the State.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran, said it was imperative to inaugurate the Committee, in order to quicken the administration of justice in the State, noting that the era of injustice would be the thing of past with the inauguration of the committee.
He said Section 389(2) of the ACJL provides that the Attorney-General shall within 90 days of the receipt of the Police case file, issue and serve his Legal Advice indicating whether or not there was a prima facie case against the defendant for which he can be prosecuted.
He further stated that Section 396(1) of the ACJL provides that where an information has been filed in the Court, the Chief Judge shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the information filed was assigned to a Court for trial within 15 working days from the date of its filing.
Those Inaugurated as members of the Committee, including; Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, as the Chairman, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran, Co-chairman, Hon. Judge of the State, Justice Ayokunle Rotimi-Balogun, Commissioner of Police, CP. Kenneth Abrimson, Controller of Prison, Mr. Victor Benson, Chairman Sagamu Branch, Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Felix Adetoro, Director of Public Prosecution Department, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Segun Olaotan, Director of Citizens Right Department, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Bamidele Adebayo and Mrs. Kemi Osisanya, the Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA).