Okowa inaugurates Justice Sector Reform Team for Delta

·        Decries Media Trial And Persecution

A 15 man Justice Sector Reform Team that will help to build a judiciary sector that is professional, impartial, efficient and transparent was Wednesday inaugurated for Delta State, with a call by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa that the current spectre of media trial and persecution should be addressed in the justice sector reforms, as it diminishes our humanity.

The Governor who inaugurated the Team in Asaba called on them to ensure effective access to justice, and to make the sector more proactive, responsive and accountable to society.

The inaugurated 15-man Delta State Justice Sector Reform Team made of serving judges, members of the Bar and representatives of the Prison, Police, House of Assembly and Non-governmental Organisations is headed by Justice Godwin  Briki-Okolosi.

Gov. Okowa and his Deputy, Otuaro (4th from left), in a group photograph
 with members of the team

Shortly before inaugurating the team, Okowa said: “Developing a comprehensive justice sector reform has become imperative to build a sector that is professional, impartial, efficient and transparent, the justice sector must operate in a credible, coherent and consistent manner as to inspire confidence and trust in it.

“It is my expectation that the justice sector reform should focus serious attention on the justice system, criminal justice, access to justice and enforcement of court decisions within reasonable periods, and the integrity of the actors in the justice sector.” He directed that “the issue of arrest before investigation which is fraught with a lot of abuses and encourages impunity” should be addressed, and

commended the National Justice Reform Team for their effort to bring justice reforms to the country, and embarking on this nationwide advocacy to invite relevant stakeholders to improve the institutional framework and process to ensure effective access to justice, and to make the sector more proactive, responsive and accountable to society.

Earlier, Barrister Peter Mrakpor, Attorney-General and Commissioner For Justice, said that the retreat would enable the state reform its justice sector and ensure that judicial service delivery would be effective and efficient.

In their separate goodwill messages, Taiwo Abidogun, Esq, Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice and Chairman, Federal Justice Sector Reform Coordinating Committee, represented by Felix Ota-Okojie, Esq, Dr. Bob Arnot, National Programme Manager, Justice For All programme, Barr. Rume Izeze, Chairman, Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Rules, Business, Legal and Judicial Matters and Hon, Justice Marshal Umukoro, Chief Judge Delta State commended the state for embarking on the initiative and promised to support the state in the justice sector reforms.

Justice Briki-Okolosi who responded on behalf of members of his team expressed appreciation to Governor Okowa for the appointment and promised to ensure prompt delivery on their mandate.