NAN-H-16
Diligence
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Dec. 28, 2017 (NAN) Some Lagos-based lawyers on Thursday urged prosecutors to show more diligence in prosecuting cases in 2018 to facilitate justice administration.
The lawyers made the call in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
A constitutional lawyer, Mr Spurgeon Ataene, told NAN that some prosecutors handled criminal cases will levity after arraignment of the accused.
He said that such an attitude was responsible for unending criminal litigation.
Ataene called for a change of the attitude.
The lawyer said that Nigeria’s criminal justice system would be enhanced in 2018 if necessary measures would be put in place.
A rights activist, Mr Anthony Makolo, also blamed prolonged criminal trials on lack of diligence by prosecutors.
Moloko called for seriousness on the part of such prosecutors.
“There are situations where some prosecutors come to court late; this is annoying.
“Once an accused is charged and his plea taken, some prosecutors become sluggish in opening their cases.
“This, most times, leads to series of adjournments.
“In some instances, some judges and magistrates may not be inclined to granting further adjournments.
“They simply strike out the cases for lack of diligent prosecution,’’ Moloko said.
He urged prosecuting agencies to organise routine orientation to develop the skills of prosecutors.
A social critic, Mr Ogedi Ogu, also blamed delayed trials on prosecutors’ lack of diligence.
Ogu, who is also a rights activist, said that many accused persons in prison custody suffered delayed trial.
According to him, some accused brought to court for trial, are returned due to failure of prosecutors to produce witnesses.
“Some judges are very versatile in criminal trial and will insist that the prosecution calls witnesses as soon as the plea of the accused is taken.
“Also, some judges will not grant unnecessary adjournments in criminal matters, but they will be constrained if the prosecution is not ready with its witnesses.
“What is even more annoying is that you find a situation where a prosecutor comes to court and begins to shuttle between courts with the excuse that he also has criminal trials in those courts.
“These excuses contribute to the delay we experience in criminal trials, and it really calls for redress,’’ Ogu told NAN.
According to him, diligent prosecution is part of justice administration. (NAN)
UNS/AIB/IGO
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Edited by Abdulfatah Babatunde/Ijeoma Popoola