Akwa Ibom state to domesticate administration of criminal justice soon.

Eyo-Asuquo Akaiso, Uyo.

Akwa Ibom state is next on the line to administer criminal justice in accordance with laid down principles of justice system.

As a prelude, a town hall meeting was held at Judiciary multi purpose hall for major stakeholders in justice delivery, including high court Judges, Magistrates, traditional and community leaders, women and youth groups, correctional service staff, police and other high ranking security agents.

The event which was organized by Uchefem consult limited, Abuja led by Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Uche Owete, received approval both from the Chief Judge and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Akwa Ibom state government.

At the town hall meeting, participants grouped themselves for open discussion and engagement on about five

topical issues, such as Human rights violation and building trust, conference and achieving justice for everyone in Akwa Ibom state, among several others constrained by space to list all.

Each of the five groups was led by either a high court Judge, Chief Magistrate or a judiciary Officer of equal ranking.

The theme of the town hall meeting was “Human rights, building Trust and confidence in the justice sector, processes and institutions in Akwa Ibom”, with a particular objective to discussing justice issues from perspective of problems, court users, victims, witnesses and effect on society.

Even though all the group discussions were important aimed towards making administration of criminal justice result oriented and purpose driven, the group that was headed by Hon. Justice Eno Isangedighi of Akwa Ibom high court, condemned the treatment often meted to suspect with regards to their human rights while taken to court as unwarranted.

Other far reaching resolutions adopted by the group during the plenary session of the town hall meeting which latter formed part of the communique was for Judges not to plea for settlement of murder and sexual offences against infants. Also police officer investigating any criminal case has no right to demand money from suspect before going out do his or her investigation.

In same token, the group frowned on a situation where suspects awaiting trials are denied being taken to court on the excuse of none availability of vehicle, describing it as abuse of human rights and justice system.

The second day of the engagement featured a training seminar for selected stakeholders drilled by experts in criminal justice, Gilbert Tor from National Judiciary Institute and Chuks Afujue of Uchefem consult limited respectively.

Welcoming participants at the opening of the town hall meeting, Mr. Owete said the essence of incorporating the town hall meeting into the regular training seminar was to build the confidence and trust of the citizens in criminal justice institutions and their operators.

Owete opined that no matter how efficient and effective a criminal justice system and enforcement mechanisms are, if not supported by citizenry and driven by confidence reposed in them by the general public, such existing laws and institutions become empty and can’t address justice problems and challenges to a hilt.

“In the light of the above the town hall meeting was to engage relevant stakeholders to discuss passionately the issues and come up with agreed suggestions on the ways by which public trust and confidence in justice and law enforcement mechanisms can be restored”, he added.

In the final analysis, he thanked Akwa Ibom state government and people of Switzerland for providing needed support for the holding of the town hall meeting. His thanks also went to Governor Udom Emmanuel and Chief Judge for their efforts to ensure that the justice sector and administration of justice in Akwa Ibom state succeeds.