Delta plans cut down of trial time, as journalists honour Peter Mrakpor

Plans are in the offing by the Delta State Government to improve the administration of justice in the state by drastically cutting down trial time, according to the Attorney General and commissioner for Justice, Barrister Peter Mrakpor.

Peter Mrakpor

The Attorney General spoke when he received in audience in the conference room of his office in Asaba, member s of the Indigenous Newspaper and Magazine Chapel (INMC) of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) who had come to commend him for some of his observed achievement even in a recessed economy.

Barrister Mrakpor also disclosed that in order to facilitate the process of cutting down trial time  a Prerogative of Mercy Committee has been put in place.

At the event in which the former leader of the INMC, Comrade Spence Idigri identified the Chapel as the umbrella body for all qualified and practicing professional journalists who write for community newspapers in Delta State, Mrakpor also disclosed that the Ministry of Justice in the State is currently reviewing files and that the Ministry’s lawyers have to justify why cases have to continue when witnesses cannot be found. “If you can’t secure a conviction, why go to court? We are looking at every case file,” he said.

He continued: “Secondly, we are scrutinizing those in prison. We are encouraging private lawyers to prosecute cases. You know as a plaintiff that you have a private lawyer that you pay, so you can get him to prosecute your case.”

Comrade Idigri disclosed the object of the journalists visit when he stated: “The reason for today’s visit is not farfetched as it was the unanimous decision of members that having observed you from far and near, and as  watchdog of society, we are duty bound having seen some of the tangible and intangible achievements recorded during a recessed economy that we should give you a pat on the back by telling you that you have done well, while also noting that there are rooms for improvement.”

Among notable achievements of Barrister Mrakpor  which INMC listed includes:

·         Review of criminal files with a view to decongesting the prisons.

·         Introduction of more Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR) Centres.

·         Deployment of DESOPADEC lawyers.

·         Purchase and distribution of over 300 laptops to staff to enhance efficiency.

·         Capacity building, including induction of over 100 staff as Chartered Mediators, and

·         Massive renovation of the two offices of the Ministry and deliberate effort to improve the welfare of staffs.

Comrade Idigri said: “It is only proper that we do this not only to encourage a performing Commissioner to do more but to also wake up those who are in a perpetual slumber since their appointment almost two years ago.”

A plaque was according presented to the Attorney General in recognition of his notable achievements.

A greatly surprised Barrister Mrakpor in his response, expressed ”happiness that the little things we are doing is being appreciated, especially by those who are the watchdogs of society. I am indeed, humbled,” he said.

He said that the dream of Governor Ifeanyi  Okowa is to build a Delta State where everybody live in peace, and where everybody prospers. “I share in that dream.”  

He called on journalists to help disseminate information about government activities, arguing that if government is working and people are not buying into it, there is no way a government or commissioner can be explaining to each individual.

Pointing out that since journalists are next to gossip, he declared that the indigenous media establishment holds the key. “We need to encourage journalism because it holds the key to development of society.

Mrakpor pleaded therefore with journalists to help disseminating information about what government is doing, particularly against cultism, declaring that cultism by young elements is becoming a burden. “We ask for a responsible public outcry to help curtail this menace. A lot of persons going into cultism don’t understand what they are doing. It is peer pressure,” he said, adding that “rape and defilement are alarming; witnesses don’t go to court to give evidence.”