OGUN INAUGURATES A 9-MAN COMMITTEE FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE MONITORING

The Ogun State government has Inaugurated a 9-Man Committee for criminal justice monitoring in order to ensure that persons awaiting trial are, as far as possible, not detained in prison custody for a length of time beyond proscribed in section 308, Section 117 (6)(d) of ACJL.

Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC), held at Judiciary Complex, Kobape Abeokuta, the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu said that administration of justice could be well pronounced and meaningful by the inauguration of the committee, so as work harder and assiduously to bring justice to state without fear and favour.

Justice Dipeolu said that Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) was enacted in May 2015, noting that it was meant to bring the Federal Courts up to date in the administration of criminal justice.

She added that the State followed by enacting its ACJL on the 3rd day of April, 2018, saying that the State Judiciary and indeed, all stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice has been making use of the Law in the determination of Criminal cases across the State.

She said that the aim of the committee was to ensure the effective and efficient application of the ACJL, noting that the innovations in the ACJL were laudable and welcome.

She however, said that there are so many hindrances against the efficient and effective application of the law, imploring the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun to provide the facilities needed for the full application of the law in its entirety as it would definitely enhance the administration of criminal justice.

She urged every members of the Committee to see their inauguration as a call to duty and a call to serve the citizens of the State and dear country by further enhancing and strengthening the administration of criminal justice of the State.

In the same vein, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran, said it was imperative to Inaugurate the Committee, in order to fasten and quicken the administration of justice in the State, noting that the era of justice would be the thing of past with the inauguration of the committee.

He said that Section 389(2) of the ACJL provides that the Attorney-General shall within 90 days of the receipt of the Police case file, issue and serve his Legal Advice indicating whether or not there was a prima facie case against the Defendant for which he can be prosecuted.

He further stated that Section 396(1) of the ACJL provides that where an information has been filed in the Court, the Chief Judge shall take appropriate steps to ensure that the information filed was assigned to a Court for trial within 15 working days from the date of its filling.

Those Inaugurated as members of the Committee, including; Chief Judge of the State, Hon. Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu, as the Chairman, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Akingbolahan Adeniran, Co-chairman, Hon. Judge of the State, Justice Ayokunle Rotimi-Balogun, Commissioner of Police, CP. Kenneth Abrimson, Controller of Prison, Mr. Victor Benson, Chairman Sagamu, Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Felix Adetoro, Director of Public Prosecution Department, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Segun Olaotan, Director of Citizens Right Department, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Bamidele Adebayo and Mrs. Kemi Osisanya, the Chairperson, International Federation of Women Lawyer (FIDA).