Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state on Tuesday inaugurated the
Plateau State Justice Sector Reform Team which will drive and monitor
the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law signed
into law in 2018.
While inaugurating the team in Jos, Governor Lalong said the smooth and
effective dispensation of justice to the citizens of Plateau State is a
very important aspect of his government’s vision which believes in the
rule of law.
The Governor said ” the establishment of the Justice Sector Reform Team
in the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Plateau State will
address some of the vexed problems facing the Criminal Justice Sector.
These problems such as delay in the prosecution of cases, occasioned by
the antics of defence Counsels who often seek frivolous adjournments,
stay of proceedings and interlocutory Appeals with the aim of
frustrating speedy trials of Criminal cases will be eliminated”.
Lalong also expressed hope that congestion within Correctional Service
facilities often caused by the large number of Detainees awaiting trial;
indiscriminate arrest and detention of Persons by some Law Enforcement
Agencies and the absence of effective coordination among the
Institutions involved in Criminal Justice Administration will be
drastically curtailed.
He charged members of the team to ensure that they make the the
dispensation of justice seamless so that people will not have any reason
to resort to self help or loose confidence in the courts.
Chief Justice of Plateau State, Justice Yakubu Gyang Dakwak who is the
Chairman of the Team, said the implementation of the Administration of
Criminal Justice Law has come up with solutions to most of the loopholes
in the procedural Laws, by entrenching provisions that limit the number
and frequency of Adjournments that may be granted in Criminal trials as
well as abolishing the grant of stay of proceedings while interlocutory
Appeals are being pursued.
He appealed to all the members of the Team to use their positions as
representatives of various frontline agencies to promote the
dispensation of justice to all persons in the State.
Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Barrister Chrysantus Ahmadu
disclosed that because of the work that has already started under the
administration of criminal justice law, Plateau State has more convicts
than awaiting trial inmates at its Correctional Centres as some
interventions have started.
In their goodwill messages, Commissioner of Police Plateau State,
Comptroller, Correctional Services, NBA Chairman, National Human Rights
Commission, Legal Aid Council and other stakeholders reiterated their
willingness to work for the success of the initiative.
