Prison
Enugu, June 28, 2016, (NAN) The Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organisation (CAPIO) has pledged to fast track the implementation of the recently passed Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in Enugu State.
The Executive Director of the organisation in the state, Rev. Father Ambrose Ekereoku, made the pledge in Enugu on Friday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to him, the administration of criminal justice law will ensure speedy trials of cases in the dockets of magistrates and judges and also reduce overcrowding of prison inmates.
“There are time standards set by the Administration of Criminal Justice Law to guarantee this.
“Police must arraign suspects within 48 hours unless with court orders extending the time for investigation.
“The issue of overcrowding is not good for the country because it continues to breed more crime even among inmates.
“That is why the Enugu Maximum Prison meant to accommodate 638 inmates now accommodates 2,078 inmates.
“Of these 2,078 inmates, 80 per cent of them are awaiting trials for many years.
“That is why we think that this law is very critical, and we are calling on stakeholders to join hands with CAPIO to make sure this law is implemented,” he noted.
Ekereoku expressed optimism that when the law was fully implemented, it would put Enugu State in the forefront of reforms in the justice sector.
He said that the organisation had organised training for some judicial officers including magistrates and judges on effective implementation of the law in the state.
NAN reports that the Administration of Criminal Justice Law was signed into law by Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi on May, 2017.
The law made innovative provisions to protect the rights of citizens against unlawful arrest, torture and inhuman treatment and detention without trials.
The law also provides for plea bargaining, compensation for victims of crime, speedy criminal trials and alternatives to imprisonment like community service, parole and probation. (NAN)
AED/SAV/MNA
Edited by Maureen Atuonwu