Enugu CJ Convened Stakeholders Meeting On The Inability Of Correctional Centres To Take In New Convicts And Suspects

The Chief Judge of Enugu State, Hon. Justice N. P. Emehelu, FCIArb, D.DRI, FICMC had held a stakeholder meeting concerning some issues affecting the administration of Criminal Justice Sector in the state.

Information made available to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) shows that in attendance were the representative of the Commissioner of Police DCP Haruna Yahaya, the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Enugu State, Chief Melitus Eze, MCI Arb., the Controller of Corrections, Enugu State Command, J. C. Emelue, the Deputy Controller, Non-Custodial Service, DCC Clementina Chukwu, the Officer in Charge of Legal Matters, Nigerian Police, Enugu State Headquarters, DSP, Paschal Nwachukwu, the Chief Registrar of the High Court, Mrs. Martha Aroh-Onuoha, OSF, FCAL, Deputy Chief Registrar, High Court and Litigation, Mrs. Nonye Chijioke-Agbo.

The meeting was convened following the challenges confronting the Criminal Justice Sector as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the inability of the Correctional Centres to take in new convicts and suspects remanded in custody pending the outcome of the opinion of the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

The measure as adopted by the Nigerian Correctional Service has brought a great pressure on the Nigerian Police, Enugu State Command whose cells according to ACP Haruna Yahaya, are overflowing with Suspects and convicts that would have been in the Custodial Centres, a situation he describes as abnormal.

The state Judiciary positioned to continue the discharge of its constitutional duties is hopeful that the challenge caused by the non-acceptance of new intakes to the Correctional Centres will be resolved soon so that the administration of Criminal Justice will not be hampered in any way