The House of Representatives Committee on Justice has given assurance of the quick passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Bill by the National Assembly.
Addressing a news conference in Abuja, the Chairman of the committee, Dr. Ali Ahmad, said that an effective criminal justice system, capable of punishing wrong-doing and protecting law abiding citizens was a fundamental component of a modern society.
As he criticized the increasing number of ‘awaiting trial’ inmates in the country, he noted that the survival of the nation’s democracy depends on the resolution of individual differences through an efficient criminal justice administration system.
He said that the bill which had been passed by the House of Representatives since December 2013 and awaiting the consent of the Senate would also give justice to victims of criminal act.
A member of the House Committee on Justice, Stella Dorgu, added that the cases whereby pregnant women are sentenced to death were a major issue that should not be allowed to continue.
The Convener of the forum – panel on implementation of justice reform, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, explained the benefit of the new bill to Nigeria as a nation.
He described it as one that makes far-reaching proposals for removing obsolete aspects of the Nigerian criminal justice system and replacing them with modern provisions capable of promoting speedy delivery of criminal justice.
It is expected that its passage would bring reprieve the way of ‘awaiting trial’ inmates in prisons across the country.
