The Chief Judge of Federal Capital High Court, Justice Ishaq Bello, says obsolete and weak laws have prevented the effectiveness of the justice sector.

Justice Bello made the remark on Monday at a workshop on the Administration of Justice and Violence Against Persons Acts 2015 which were recently signed into law.

Justice Bello observed that the former Criminal Justice Law and the Police Act were disconnected from the 1999 Constitution and Nigeria’s international obligation.

He urged police officers to handle and process suspects and accused persons in a way that would remove any bottle neck that may be encountered in the trial process in order to reduce the number of awaiting trial inmates, especially when their cases could be easily resolved.

On May 26, the administration of justice law was formerly presented to the public and the legal community.

The Law, according to the government, is in line with the desire to reform justice sector in Nigeria.

Monday’s workshop, coming two months after, was organised by the National Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

At the workshop were some senior police officers led by the Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, and it was meant to educate them on the use of the Administration of Justice and Violence Against Persons Acts, as they are the first contacts with suspected criminals. (Channels TV).

In his remark, the IGP said that the police adopted intelligence policing under which they carry out in depth investigation before arresting suspects.

He said that the policy thrust of his administration was in tandem with the provisions of the Acts, adding that the force was prepared before the enactment of the laws.

The IGP said the police had put in place `robust’ training and development programmes aimed at proficiency of officers in line with international best practices.

He reiterated the commitment of the police to ensure safe, secure and corruption-free Nigeria in line with the policy of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

Arase said the workshop would provide the opportunity for stakeholders to tackle grey areas in the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria.

He maintained that effective implementation of the Acts would promote human rights and decongest prisons across the country.

“The two Acts are intended to advance professionalism and efficiency in the trials of criminal cases in our courts.”

Arase charged the DPOs and Legal Officers to be vigilant in their respective states and zonal commands as the Acts would be adopted by states before it becomes applicable. (NAN)

•Photo shows CJN

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