×

House of Assembly Speakers Meet Over Criminal Justice Act

Speakers of state Houses of Assembly have met on how to domicile the Criminal Justice Act in their respective states for fairness, orderliness and quick dispensation … Continue reading House of Assembly Speakers Meet Over Criminal Justice Act


A file photo of a court gavel.
A court gavel.

States’ Speakers Meet Over Criminal Justice ActSpeakers of state Houses of Assembly have met on how to domicile the Criminal Justice Act in their respective states for fairness, orderliness and quick dispensation of justice.

The legislators gathered at the Banquet Hall of Kwara Hotel in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital for a two-day conference of Speakers to deliberate on the need ensure that states implement the Criminal Justice Act.

The Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Dr. Ali Ahmed, said that the conference would amend those areas of flaws that had been observed and agree on a single model administration of Criminal Justice Bill that would be enacted by each state within an agreed time frame.

Dr. Ahmed expressed hope that the conference would lay the road map to fast track legislative steps towards state level adoption of the administration of the Criminal Justice Act.

In his address, the Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, advocated a more dynamic constitutional amendment process to enable the legislative arm and the whole country respond to critical needs to modify existing laws while retaining the safeguards necessary to maintain their sanctity.

According to him, “A sound criminal justice system is imperative for economic growth, political stability and social equilibrium”. Governor Ahmed called for a solid foundation of good laws that could curb anti-social behaviors and other disruptive tendencies in the society.

A representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, Dr. Belachew Fikre, who was at the event, promised that the body would continue to support the administration of Criminal Justice Act, in order to promote effective management of criminal justice, quick dispensation of justice as well as protection of the rights of suspects.