The chief registrar of the Bauchi state high court Barrister Emmanuel Danjuma has declared that the entire criminal justice system in Nigeria is faulty.
He made the declaration Monday during the inauguration of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) in the state created by a Non Governmental Organization (NGO) called’Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative and inaugurated by the state deputy governor Baba Tela at Fariah suites Bauchi.
The chief registrar who is a facilitator in the committee explained that the justice system in the country has flaws in many ways from the police, the investigation, the prosecution and arraignment of accused persons.
“The entire criminal justice system is faulty in many ways. Both from the police, the investigation, the prosecution, upto the time accused persons are arraigned in courts.
“The committee should effectively enforce this (Administration of Criminal Justice) law because it will go along way in having a very good criminal justice system in Nigeria not only Bauchi state.
“What we used to have is the police would remand you for more than 24 hours. But under this law, magistrates are allowed to visit police stations from time to time to look at police cells, and those that are there. By going there, they will look at what is abnormal and rectify it. If somebody is detained for more than 24 hours, they will ask that he is arraigned”. He said.
In his speech, governor Bala Mohammed represented by his deputy Baba Tela who inaugurated the committee said their mandate is to ensure that stakeholders in the administration of justice comply with what the law says on the administration of criminal justice.
He expressed optimism that the inauguration of the committee would improve administration of justice in the state.
Earlier, the programme officer of the NGO Hadiza Usman stated that their organization focuses on the rule of law and citizens security noting that they have been engaging with the judiciary in Bauchi state to review the administration of criminal justice law and now formed the monitoring committee.
“They are to oversight all the agencies and institutions of administration of criminal justice to ensure every provision in that law is followed. They should ensure there is reduction of awaiting trial cases, decongestion of the prisons.
“We want to make sure that every man and woman in Bauchi state can access the court. We want to ensure there is no victimization or discrimination in the administration of justice in Bauchi”. She pointed out.
Members of the committee include the state Chief Judge, Attorney General, magistrates, Chairman Nigerian Bar Association, security agencies and prison officials
