The Federal Government has given kudos to the Rivers State Judiciary for the success recorded towards the speedy implementation of administration of criminal justice in the state.
The Federal Government has, therefore, rewarded it with a set of working equipment to equip its operational office domiciled at the state Judiciary Complex as an encouragement to reward its efforts.
The Executive Secretary of the Federal Government Monitoring Committee on the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice, Federal Ministry of Justice, Barrister Sulayman Dawodu made commendation while speaking during the Rivers State Judiciary ACJMC Council meeting and workshop held at the Chief Judge Special Court Auditorium in Port Harcourt, yesterday
The workshop with the theme: “Strengthening Effective Implementation of Administration of Criminal Justice Act/Law in Nigeria being implemented by Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) with support from Federal Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee” is aimed at providing members of the state council on the achievements recorded, strengthening their capacity and building partnership network among the various stakeholders in the project.
Dawodu said the state Judiciary has passed the estimated benchmark on the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice, saying that they deserved to be commended for their diligence in pursuit of the implementation.
According to him, only about few states have passed and gazzetted the ACJ Law in their various states, adding that Rivers State has done so and as well, set up an administrative secretariat in that regard.
“Rivers State needs to be applauded for their achievement in this regard, they passed the law, gazzetted it, set up administrative secretariat and also have a council,” he stated.
The executive secretary said the Federal Government would continue to synergise with the state Judiciary in the areas of sharing knowledge in order to speed up the process of the implementation.
“We are creating partnership, synergy and creating a network, and let the executive support the Administration of Criminal Justice in their states. Moreso, build a template so that Rivers Judiciary can tutor other state judiciaries in this regard”, he stated.
Earlier in his opining remarks, the state Chief Judge and Chairman of the council in the state, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi while welcoming members to the meeting, said the workshop was made possible by the Federal Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee as part of efforts to strengthen effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in Nigeria.
The state chief judge, represented by Justice Florence Fiberesima, said the Administration of Criminal Justice Act came into force with the purpose of promoting efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, protection of the society and protection of the rights and interests of a suspect, defendant and victim, and added that the state immediately keyed into it and passed the state Administration of Criminal Justice Law in 2015.
According to him, Section 479 and 480 of the state established ACJ monitoring Council and provides for its operations, adding that membership was drawn from various stakeholders, include Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Correctional Services, Ministry of Justice, Human Rights Commission, State High Court, Nigerian Bar Association, FIDA and Legal Aid Council.
He said the state Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Council in the bid to do more, seized the opportunity offered by the federal counterpart and attended the First Annual Conference of ACJMC.
“You will agree with me that to achieve effective implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law in Nigeria, synergy in our country is key, and that is what this workshop seeks to achieve. We have expanded the council meeting today to invite other very important stakeholders who impact criminal justice in the state. It is our hope that the workshop will enlighten them on important areas of the ACJL,” he stated.
