An Abuja-based legal
practitioner, Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), has decried the delays in the
conclusion of criminal cases in the country.
Akinseye-George told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that it was not good that courts were unable to conclude criminal cases in due time.
``We only hear when cases are filed or when suspects are arraigned, especially wealthy suspects and we also hear when they are admitted to bail.
``But we rarely hear when the cases are concluded; that is a big embarrassment to our criminal justice system.’’
Akinseye-George commended the judges for the hard work, but decried unfruitful results because of the use of interlocutory appeals that stall trial cases.
According to him, Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) has ensured that interlocutory appeals are no longer entertained.
``That is to say preliminary objections by defence lawyers will no longer be allowed to delay proceedings.’’
He said interlocutory appeals were expected to be taken along with the substantive cases.
Akinseye-George called for the sensation of stakeholders to ensure that the Act is effectively implemented.
``The judiciary, courts, lawyers, police and all the agencies in the criminal justice sector must be sensitised to the need for access to justice and speedy trial.
``The Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) is a very powerful instrument for fast tracking the trial of criminal cases.
``It is a deliberate and conscious instrument which aims to address the problem of delay of justice particularly criminal justice,’’ he said.
Akinseye-George commended the signing and passage into law of the ACJA, stressing that it was one of the laudable achievements of the past administration. (NAN)
Akinseye-George told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja that it was not good that courts were unable to conclude criminal cases in due time.
``We only hear when cases are filed or when suspects are arraigned, especially wealthy suspects and we also hear when they are admitted to bail.
``But we rarely hear when the cases are concluded; that is a big embarrassment to our criminal justice system.’’
Akinseye-George commended the judges for the hard work, but decried unfruitful results because of the use of interlocutory appeals that stall trial cases.
According to him, Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) has ensured that interlocutory appeals are no longer entertained.
``That is to say preliminary objections by defence lawyers will no longer be allowed to delay proceedings.’’
He said interlocutory appeals were expected to be taken along with the substantive cases.
Akinseye-George called for the sensation of stakeholders to ensure that the Act is effectively implemented.
``The judiciary, courts, lawyers, police and all the agencies in the criminal justice sector must be sensitised to the need for access to justice and speedy trial.
``The Administration of the Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) is a very powerful instrument for fast tracking the trial of criminal cases.
``It is a deliberate and conscious instrument which aims to address the problem of delay of justice particularly criminal justice,’’ he said.
Akinseye-George commended the signing and passage into law of the ACJA, stressing that it was one of the laudable achievements of the past administration. (NAN)
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