Domesticate ACJ ACT, Decongest Prisons; YAPJEN Urges Anambra State Legislators, Others.

A Human Right and Advocacy group, Youth Advocates For Peace Justice And Empowerment Network (YAPJEN) has called on Anambra State law makers to domesticate the Administration of criminal Justice Act (ACJ ACT).

In a communique issued after the monthly meeting of the organization in Awka, Anambra State, The Executive Director of the organization, Amb. Timothy C. Nwachukwu stated that the Nigeria Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 which is a repeal of the Criminal Procedure Code applicable to the Northern Nigeria and Criminal Procedure Act applicable to the Southern Nigeria’s main purpose as provided in its Section 1 is to promote “efficient management of criminal justice institutions”, ensure “speedy dispensation of justice” as well as for  the “protection of society from crime and protection of the rights and interests of the suspects, the defendant, and the victim.”

Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu stated that since the ACJA was assented Into law by Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and its validation by the Supreme Court in 2016, the law has been enjoying rapid domestication across the country.

The Peoples Advocate noted that prioy to the enactment of the Acja, the nation’s criminal justice system was bedevilled with barriers which obstructed access to justice on many fronts, ranging from long adjournments of trials, congestion in courts and prisons, and dependence on technicalities, but with the provisions of the Acja which bars the court from granting orders of stay of proceedings pending appeal on preliminary issues, enforcement of speedy trial, by providing for day-to-day trial until conclusion of the case and “where it is impossible for the court to sit daily, the parties will only be entitled to five adjournments.”

The group therefore called on Honourable Members of Anambra State House of Assembly to domesticate the law so as to aid the speedy administration of justice in the state.

Advocate Iguh Chidera, The organization Director of Records bemoan the growing number of awaiting trail inmates in the various Prisons across the state and attributed it to lack of deligence by the men of the Nigeria Police force and the officials of the ministry of justice whose primary responsibility is the prosecution of criminal cases.

The Advocacy group resolved to reach out and colloborate with the Nigeria Police force, the state ministry of justice and the Nigeria Prison Service in facilitating the enabling environment that will ensure quick dispensation of justice which will aide the decongestion of the over crowded prisons in Anambra State.

©Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu,
(De Peoples Advocate)
08097311499
Executive Director, Youth Advocates For Peace Justice And Empowerment Network