State Judiciary reaffirms commitment to strengthen administration of Criminal Justice

 

By Michael Ezenwata

n line with its statutory provisions of ensuring that the demands of justice are met in all ramifications, the state Ministry of Justice has unveiled some government policy thrust to revamp the administration of criminal justice in the state.

Administration of Criminal Justice Bill 2021 passes third reading

 

By Anastasia Agunwa/Chizoba Okeke/Gloria Abugu


A bill for a law to establish the system of Criminal Justice Administration in Anambra State and to provide for related matters has passed through a third reading on the floor of the state legislature.



This followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Committee on Judiciary on the bill at the "Committee of the Whole" during plenary on July 21.



The motion was moved by the majority leader, Mr. Nnamdi Okafor and was seconded by Mr. Onyebuchi Offor representing Ekwusigo constituency.



The lawmakers had amended and considered the report clause by clause, line by line on clause one, 130, 131, 132, 134, 164 and clause 177, deleting and inserting the necessary words and phrases.



The Chairman House Committee on Judiciary, Mr. Douglas Nwachukwu had presented the report of the committee before the House for consideration.



The Speaker, Mr. Uche Okafor who presided over the plenary session gave account of the consideration of the report and confirmed that all the amendments were carried by the House.



According to the Speaker, after the amendment, we also agreed that commencement date if approved by this House shall be on August 8, 2022.


Okafor put it to vote and the lawmakers unanimously adopted it through a voice vote.

In his introduction of the report on the bill, Mr. Nwachukwu said that the terms of the report had gone moribund and needed to be upgraded to the current reality of time, in relation to crime action in criminal Justice and justice delivery in Anambra State.



He explained, “the essence of criminal Justice was not merely to punish the offender; the essence of criminal Justice all over the world is to find out where he or she has gone wrong in the society and make such individual a better person in the society.



``In a nutshell, the essence of criminal Justice all over the world is of three arms; reorientation, rehabilitation and reintegration.



``Mr. Speaker, this report before the house is due for consideration," he added.



The bill seeks that any suspect arrested for a capital offence shall within a reasonable time be brought before a High Court for remand.



Also, any suspect arrested for a non capital offence for which the Magistrate Court has no jurisdiction to try, shall within a reasonable time be brought before a Magistrate Court for remand.



Equally, an application for remand shall be made ex parte in the prescribed Report and Request for Remand as contained in Form 12 in the First Schedule to this Law and no charge sheet shall be filled for the purpose of remand proceedings under this Chapter.



Lastly, according to the Bill, the High Court or Magistrate Court after examining the reasons for the arrest and the request for the remand as contained in the Prescribed Report and Request for Remand Form filed by the police, and is satisfied that there is probable cause to remand such person pending the receipt of legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General and/or his arraignment before the appropriate court or tribunal, may remand the person in custody.

Anambra Assembly calls on Government to rehabilitate collapse Ukwaka-Umudim bridge

By Anastasia Agunwa/Chizoba Okeke/Gloria Abugu


Anambra State House of Assembly has called on Gov. Charles Soludo to direct the Commissioner for Works to rehabilitate the collapsed Ukwaka-Umudim bridge, Nnewi.



This followed a motion moved under 'Matters of Urgent Public Importance' by Mr. Nonso Okafor representing Nnewi North constituency during plenary on July 21.



The Speaker, Mr. Uche Okafor who presided over the plenary session had put it to vote while the lawmakers unanimously adopted the motion through a voice vote.



He said, ``Colleagues, you have all heard one of us, Hon. Nonso Smart Okafor calling on us to support him in appealing to the governor to rehabilitate Ukwaka-Umudim bridge.



``Be it therefore resolved that this honourable House calls on the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, to direct the Commissioner for Works to rehabilitate the collapsed Ukwaka-Umudim bridge.”



Speaking on the motion, Mr. Smart Okafor urged the governor to come to the aid of the people of Nnewi, by reconstructing the collapsed bridge.



``The collapsed bridge is the only bridge connecting the two major roads, which are of high importance to the people and commuters.



``That bridge has recently collapsed and we are calling on the governor to direct the Commissioner for Works, to see that the bridge is rehabilitated.



``If that is done, it is going to be a very big sigh of relief for Nnewi community.

Anambra set to empower poor farmers—says ADP Programme Manager

By Ifeoma Aniagbado


Anambra State Government says it is ready to empower poor farmers in all the 177 communities in the state through the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Programme Manager, Anambra state Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) Mr. Jude Nwankwo said this during a one-day training of the Extension Agents and Liaison Officers from the 21 Local Government Areas of the ministry.

Disputed Upper Iweka Parks: Maintain Status Quo, Court Tells Anambra State Government

 

By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu

The High Court of Onitsha Judicial Division, has restrained Anambra State government from managing and occupying the Parcel B of land of Fire Service Station, Upper Iweka, Onitsha (The disputed in land) developed by Urban Transport Terminal Limited pending the determination of the substantive suit. 

POSN Kicks as El-rufai Blocks Peter Obi Supporters from Using Arewa House*

Peter Obi Support Network (PSON) has condemned Governor Nasir El-rufai for his decision to prevent a planned Northern Summit in support of Mr. Peter Obi from holding at the Arewa House in Kaduna state.

Give Priority to Education Sector, NANS Zone F Charges FG

....... Condemns Incessant ASUU Strike 

...... Insists ASUU shouldn't back down untill demands are met

The Natiownal Association of Nigerian Students (NANs zone F has  appealed to the federal government to act as  a matter of urgency to address all the demands of the Academic Staff Unions of University (ASUU) 

VETERAN ACTRESS SOLA ONAYIGA IS DEAD

 

Veteran Nollywood actress Sola Onayiga popularly known as “Kitchen Practical” has passed on.

The news of her death was made public by Founder of Best of Nollywood awards, Seun Oloketuyi.

We've cleared salary, promotion arrears from 2017 owed by previous administrations -FNHE

 

The management, Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital Enugu (FNHE)says it is up to date in the payment of salaries of workers in the institution noting that "in effect, it has cleared the salary arrears as well as promotion arrears owed workers from 2017 by previous administrations".

What Have We Done? Bishop Ezeokafor Bemoans Killing of Priests

 

… Slams Muslim/Muslim Ticket

*Hails Soludo's Intervention On Roads

   By Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu

The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, His Lordship Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor, has expressed dismay over the incessant abduction and killing of Catholic priests across the country, emphasizing that by killing a priest, they had killed Christ the second time, reports Mmaduabuchi Onwumelu.