Date: 2017-05-23

The Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmad has charged Northern States Speakers to be wary of the content of the extract model of the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill , pending before many state Houses of Assembly.

Dr Ahmad who is the sponsor of the ACJA when he was at the House of Representatives said the vital provisions of plea bargaining, interlocutory Appeal and several others tailored towards fast tracking Administration of Criminal Justice have been removed, thereby impeding the era of new justice system which, the Act was expected to usher in.

He said the State House of Assembly under his watch was committed towards subjecting the bill to highest standard, to serve as reference point for other states and assured that stakeholders' inputs would be reflected to achieve the intended purposes.

Provision of electronic recording system according to him, would prevent the time wasting venture of trial within trial, while computerization will further enhance efficiency.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the justice system have voiced their opposition to the idea of establishing any criminal court or tribunal , noting that what is required is adequate funding as the bill according to them ,will make criminal justice law in tandem with modern realities.

They equally resolved among other things, to constitute technical committee to harmonize various submissions to ensure that the bill enhances efficient management of criminal justice institutions, prevention of crime and fast track dispensation of criminal justice in all courts in the state.

The stakeholders that gave position papers at the public hearing included the State chief Judge, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the body of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SANs) the Nigerian Bar Association, Security Agencies and Federation of International Women Lawyers.