The Chief Judge of Anambra State and Chairman, Justice Sector Monitoring Committee, Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, has called for better synergy between actors in the justice sector for effective implementation of the state Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2022
Angel Network News (ANN) reports that
Justice Anyachebelu made the call during a meeting Organized by Justice Development and Peace/Caritas, (JDPC), Onitsha with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) programme, implemented by International IDEA and funded by European Union to raise awareness on the provisions of Anambra Administration of Criminal Justice, ACJL, for Improved Justice Delivery in Anambra State.
The event organized under the RAPID project of JDPC, attracted representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Immigration Services, the Correctional Service, National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, (NAPTIP), Anambra State Road Traffic Management Agency, and Anambra State Vigilante Group, AVG, among others.
Represented by the Committee’s Secretary, Roseline Okeke, Justice Anyachebelu said the committee was set up to see to effective and efficient administration of criminal justice in the area and to ensure cordial working relationship between justice sector actors.
“There have been rivalry and misunderstanding between these actors with each blaming the other for something that goes wrong. This committee is in place to give directive and policies on ACJL application. It also ensures speedy dispensation of criminal cases in courts”.
Executive Director, JDPC Onitsha, Reverend Father Edwin Udoye, in a welcome address, remarked, “This interface is to enhance understanding of Anambra State Administration of Criminal Justice Law that was enacted in 2022, to foster an inter-agency collaboration which will ensure compliance and effective implementation of the law across the justice sector of the state.
“This meeting is also to identify challenges and propose actionable solutions to them. This will ensure that going forward, the beautiful provisions of the law are implemented to the benefit of all and sundry,” Father Udoye concluded.
Giving the overview of ACJL 2022, a Magistrate, Dr Mike Anyadiegwu, commended JDPC for organizing the event. “As I commend JDPC Onitsha, more this is needed. Effective implementation demands inter-agency collaboration between the police, correctional service, NAPTIP, Ministry of Justice, EFCC, ICPC etc.
“ACJL 2022 prohibits arrest in lieu while trial within trial is now abolished. Also, confessional statements must be recorded to help prosecution. Phones can be used for such purpose. It permits trial in absential. If a person is brought to court and he jumps bail. The trial shall continue. I sentenced on person this morning. So, anytime he is re-arrested, he goes straight to serve the sentence.
Magistrate Anyadiegwu mentioned challenges facing ACJL implementation in the state to include: institutional shortcomings, poor funding, corruption, ignorance, poor infrastructures across justice institutions, societal and cultural barriers, as well as political interference.
“So, adequate funding is needed for prosecution, while we must continue to build necessary infrastructure and intensify the fight against corruption in the justice sector”.
The event afforded participants the opportunity to brainstorm on the challenges in implementing ACJL while solutions were equally proffered to them.
