Delta Judiciary to establish mediation centres in LGAs
NAN-H-76
Mediation
By Carol V. Utulu
Asaba, Dec. 5, 2016(NAN) The Delta Government said it would establish mediation centres in the 25 local government areas of the state in order to bring mediation closer to the people.
Mr Peter Mrakpor, the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, disclosed this on Monday in Asaba while briefing newsmen.
He said that the establishment of the centres would help to reduce the burden on other departments in the ministry.
“As part of reforms in the state judiciary, we intend to open mediation centers in the 25 local government areas of the state so that we can bring the process of mediation closer to the grassroots.
“Ordinarily, it is not every case that is supposed to come to the state level; we feel that some of the cases should be settled through mediation in the local communities.
“Also, when these centres are established, they will help to reduce the work pressure on other departments in the ministry, like the department of people’s rights,” Mrakpor said.
Mrakpor also said that the ministry is currently reviewing all criminal case files to ensure that all persons remanded in prison custody undergoing trial are not punished unjustly.
He explained that the ongoing process was aimed at ensuring equity, fairness and justice in criminal prosecution, as well as the decongestion of prison facilities in the state.
” Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa recently signed into law the Delta State Council on Prerogative of Mercy Bill 2016, passed by the state assembly.
“I am pleased to inform you that very soon, the names of the chairman and members of the committee will be announced and constituted by the governor.
“The council will advise the governor in exercise of his constitutional powers of prerogative of mercy, to grant amnesty to deserving prisoners in the state as part of measures to decongest overcrowded prisons,” Mrakpor said. (NAN)
CVU/OIF/OU
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Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Obike Ukoh
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