NAN-H-82
Inauguration
By Edith Nwapi
Abuja, Oct. 19, 2016 (NAN) The FCT Chief Judge, Justice Ishaq Bello, on Wednesday inaugurated a witness support unit to assist witnesses go into the court composed and in right frame of mind.
Bello said that the aim of the unit was to prepare a witness before mounting witness box to to testify.
He unit being inaugurated was in collaboration with Prisoners Rehabilitations and Work Action (PRAWA).
PRAWA is a non-governmental organisation aimed at promoting Security, Justice and Development in Africa. It was established in 1994.
The chief judge said it became necessary to enhance the speedy dispensation of justice in the FCT courts in line with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015
The Executive Director of PRAWA, Mr Yinka Lawal, said the witness support unit was borne out of consultation with people to fill the gaps identified in the Act.
In another development, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) also donated some books to the FCT High Court Judiciary Research Centre.
Mr Polleak Serei, Project Coordinator, Support to Anti-Corruption in Nigeria of UNODC, said the books were merely judiciary books.
Serei said the books would assist the judiciary in its fight against corruption and criminality.
Meanwhile, Bello has presented a manual on “sentencing guidelines and practice directions” for FCT courts.
He said the manual would guide guide judges and magistrates in FCT courts on sentencing on criminal matters before them. (NAN)
NEO/ORO/OFN
Edited by Razak Owolabi// Felix