A workshop organized by the Abia State Judiciary,the Administration of Criminal justice Monitoring Committee in partnership with Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) has just ended with a call for Magistrates to implement necessary portions of the law as to explore it’s relevancy.
The workshop which was a refresher course targeted at the Magistrates on the Administration of Criminal justice law 2017,the Chief Judge Hon.Justice Onuoha Ogwe said the Administration of Criminal justice Act was into law by the President in 2015,and many states started adopting and adapting the provisions to suit their own version in 2015.
Justice Ogwe Urged all practitioners in the Criminal justice sector to learn,implement and to fully embrace these provisions for the betterment of the people.
Presenting a paper tittled Detention Time limits and Remand Proceedings Under Part 30 of Administration of Criminal justice law 2017 Practice and Procedure by HON JUSTICE C, K. NWANKWO Ph.D said the importance and purpose of the Administration of Criminal justice law 2017 were to ensure that the system of ACJL in the state promotes efficient management of Criminal justice institutions;enhance speedy dispensation of Justice, it protects the society from crime, it also protects the rights and interests of the suspects, the Defendant,and the victim. Hon Justice C.K Nwankwo added that the importance of the Magistrates court in the Criminal justice System cannot be over emphasised as they are the court of first instance and also the volume of Criminal matters that come before these courts on daily basis and at a reasonable time.Therefore under ACJL law 2017 of Abia State,the Magistrates court have specific duties and obligations to perform in remanded proceeding because of their importance.
The chairman of the Administration of Criminal justice Monitoring Committee in the state,Hon.Justice Kenneth C.J Okereke said the composition of the committee is multi -sectoral ;the legalAid,Human Rights Commission, NBA,DPP, Police, Judiciary etc,and these outfits were expected to bring their wealth of experience to bare in order to achieve the Aims of ACJL in the state.
In her presentation, the fore most prisons Reformer and the Executive secretary Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action Dr Uju Agomoh in her paper: Probation and Non _Custodial Alternatives-Community Service Order under part 43 of Administration of Criminal justice law2017: Practice and Procedure, said the essence of the training to the Magistrates were to acquaint themselves with the relevant parts of the ACJL law,as they come in contact with these litigants at first instance.Dr Uju Agomoh in her paper also exposed the cost effects of Custodial Measures which tells heavily on Government budget who funds these inmates.
She further enumerated that the objectives of the act were to ensure compliance with international human rights standards and good correctional practices; provide enabling platform for implementation of non-custodial measures, enhance the focus on corrections and promotion of reformation, rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders and also to establish systemic and sustainable mechanisms to address the number of persons awaiting trial.
She frowned at the astronomical increase of awaiting trial inmates after two months of visit by the monitoring committee at Umuahia correctional centre and urged the Magistrates to change the narrative.
In her vote of Thanks the Chief Registrar High court of justice, Mrs Victoria Analaba thanked the Chief Judge and the Administration of Criminal justice Monitoring Committee for organising the training for the Magistrates of Abia State Judiciary as stakeholders working towards supporting and advocating in facilitating speedy and effective implementation of the new law.
The chairman Magistrates Association of Nigeria Abia Chapter, His Worship Elekeson Elekezie thanked the organisers and urged his colleagues to uphold the Administration of Criminal Justice law in order to understand and effectively implement the law as to reduce the number of awaiting trial inmates in the correctional service centres.

Written by PRO Abia State Judiciary