Magistrates Association of Nigeria has blamed States House of Assembly members for delaying on the passage of criminal justice law across the States of the federation.
The Jigawa state chairman of the association, Muhammad Lamin Usman stated this in an interview with DAILY POST at a one day workshop on the “administration of criminal Justice Bill” organized by clean foundation held at Haitel guests inn, in Dutse the state capital.
He said the bill was passed at the federal level but some States are yet to pass same into law.
Lamin said only 19 States out of 36 States of the federation domesticated the bill but others failed to comply.
He noted that when the bill passed into law in all the States of the federation, it will correct some of the mistakes taking place in courts.
He explained that the areas of criminal justice seek to improve include; Unlawful Arrests, Notification of cause of arrest, Humane treatment of an arrested Person and prohibition of arrest on civil cases, Mandatory Inventory of Property, Recording of Arrest, Establishment of a Police Central Criminal Records Registry.
Others includes ; Electronic recording of confessional statement, Recording of statement of suspect, Monthly report by Police to supervising magistrate, Quarterly Report of arrests to the Attorney‐General of the Federation, Returns by Comptroller‐General of Prisons, Right to Bail , Women Sureties, Prosecution, Professional Bondsperson , Remand proceedings , Time protocol for remand orders.
Others are, Guideline to prevent abuses in Plea Bargain, Speedy trial, Time limit for issuance of legal advice, Witness Protection, Electronic Record of proceedings, Compensation to victims of crime, Non‐Custodial sentences, Service of Court processes by Courier Companies are among others.
Executive Director Cleen Foundation, Dr Benson Olugbuo said that, the CLEEN Foundation (formerly known as Centre for Law Enforcement Education) is a non-governmental organization established in January 1998 with the mission of promoting public safety, security and accessible justice through the strategies of empirical research, legislative advocacy, demonstration programmes and publications, in partnership with government, civil society and the private sector.
