Ekiti State Administration of Criminal Justice Working Group (ACJWG) has called on government at all levels to revamp the criminal justice system in Nigeria and equip the Nigeria Police Force for holistic investigation.
The Group called on stakeholders to simplify and make available to all security agencies the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA)/Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), with adequate sensitization on the content of the law in order to guide security agents in their operations.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting held in Ado-Ekiti and signed by the Executive Director, Gender Relevance Initiative Promotion (GRIP), Barrister Rita Ilevbare, the body solicited the support of the Ekiti State Chief Judge and the Commissioner of Police in giving all necessary logistics and support to magistrates, and allow visitation to police cells and other detention centres for the purpose of granting bail in deserving cases.
ACJWG also proposed collaboration with the Office of the Public Relations Officer, Ekiti State Police Command on sensitization of police officers and the general public on the provisions of ACJA/ACJL vis-a-vis the powers of the police to grant administrative bail in deserving cases.
According to the body, there should be adequate sensitization of the public on the function of bail, which is to ensure that all suspects stand trial without compromise as generally believed by some complainants.
Also Read:
The working group coordinated in Ekiti State by Gender Relevance Initiative Promotion (GRIP) is currently promoting accountability and transparency in the administration of criminal justice system in Nigeria.
Stakeholders who came for the meeting include Ekiti State Judiciary, the Police, NSCDC, FIDA, NYSC, Ministry of Justice, NBA, Office of the Public Defender, Legal Aid Council, Prisons, National Human Rights Commission, CLEEN Foundation ,Data Collectors and the media.