DELTA STATE GOVERNOR, SENATOR DR. IFEANYI ARTHUR OKOWA, HAS REITERATED HIS ADMINISTRATION'S UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO EFFICIENT JUSTICE DELIVERY IN THE STATE.

 

He stated this at the stakeholders' summit on the review of the Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2016 held at the Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.

"The summit underscores the importance of my administration places on the delivery of an efficient justice system both in criminal and civil justice spheres.

"It is my earnest hope that with the calibre of persons here, this summit will provide enriching ideas in the review of Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice 2016, which will guide the draft Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice bill for consideration by the House Assembly and possible passage into law," he stated.

Governor Okowa who was represented by immediate past Chief of Staff, Ovie Agas, expressed confidence that the ACJL has lived up to its purpose, even as he acknowledged that there were challenges that required to be addressed.

"While the law was a marked improvement from the chaotic scene that previously characterized our criminal justice system, the world as we know it has changed. This is more so after the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted every facet of society in a manner never envisaged," the governor explained.

Okowa emphasized that every responsible society must seek ways to evolve and adopt the new realities, pointing out that a dynamic society needs dynamic laws.

According to him, in promulgating a criminal justice system that worked for the people, it must be ensured that incidences of delayed trials, inefficient case management, sentencing inadequacies, and restorative justice measures must be addressed. 

Welcoming stakeholders to the summit, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Isaiah Bozimo, stated that the sessions would focus on three critical areas in the proposed Bill such as active case management, efficient reporting to the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, and non-custodial measures.

The Justice Commissioner expressed reservation that the current criminal justice system was still primarily focused on incarceration and punishment rather than focusing on harm through prevention, rehabilitation, and restoration.

"We need to change the course of the criminal justice system to ensure less offending, less reoffending, and fewer victims of crime who are better reported. Where criminal proceedings are necessary, we need an efficient system in which trials are concluded in the shortest possible time," he posited.

The summit attracted judges, magistrates, resource persons from the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, and civil society organizations.

Agbaragu Timothy, Esq.,

Functioning Director,

High Court of Justice,

Asaba.