PWAN cautions Judiciary, Police against long trial of cases

High and Magistrates courts in Ondo state have been advised to guard against factors leading to long dispensation of justice on criminal cases brought before them .

The Program Officer of the Rule of law and Empowerment initiative also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria ( PWAN ), Mr Henry Anoliefo gave the advice in akure while presenting findings on case monitoring to stakeholders in Ondo state.

Twenty observers were assigned to monitor some selected high and magistrates courts in the state between 2017 and 2018.

Issues surrounding enhancing transparency and accountability in the judicial sector as well as administration of criminal justice dominated the forum by the rule of law and empowerment initiative.

Mr Anoliefo explained that it took longer than necessary time to commence hearing of cases these two courts, which has always led to long period of trial.

Mr Anoliefo also urged the police to always conclude all investigations before drafting charges and ensure prompt arraignment of suspects to avoid unnecessary delay.

The following are the recommendations of the group:

Adherence to timelines by Magistrate courts:

PWAN commends the Magistrate courts for adhering to the timelines from filing to commencement of hearing and disposal of cases. We encourage the high court to adopt the most suitable and speedy approach to these provisions.

Effective prosecution of criminal cases:

Prosecuting agendas are advised to conclude all investigations before drafting charges on corruption related matters. This will reduce the requests for frivolous adjoumments and curtail striking out of corruption related matters from courts.

Prompt arraignment of defendants:

Prosecuting agencies/agencies responsible for detention of suspects in criminal matters are advised to arraign suspects promptly, to avoid delays.

Discharge of duties by parties/ representatives:

The courts should implore the intention of the ACJL on ‘speedy trial and effective dispensation of justice’ to exercise their discretion on erring parties and their representatives in courts.

Introduce ‘court managers or administrators in the justice sector:

Court clerks may be assessed and retrained for that purpose. They will be responsible for amongst things, harmonizing periods/roasters for inspection of detention facilities, vacation times, official assignments to avoid conflicts and adjoumments of cases.

“We wish to sincerely appreciate and commend the Judiciary particularly the High courts for the diligence in concluding her cases which is a 100% of the cases observed and 40% conclusion in the Magistrate courts.

We encourage the magistrate courts to do more. We also commend the High courts for recording 50% convictions on cases observed while 39% was recorded in the Magistrate courts. Not a bad record of progress.”

In a remark,a legal professional, Mrs Hadiza Usman from the Public Defender Unit of the group pointed out that the initiative would keep monitoring compliance of the administration of criminal justice act by the judiciary in Ondo state.

Some of the participants who play major roles in the dispensation of justice stressed the need for all stakeholders, especially the Police to discharge their duties in accordance with the law.