Speedy Justice Delivery Will Check Criminality – Bala Mohammed

 Bauchi State governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has said timely and fair dispensation of justice has the potency to end crimes and criminality in Nigeria.

He spoke at the commencement of the 2023/2024 Legal Year at the State High Court Complex in Bauchi yesterday.

Governor Mohammed said the signing of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2023, Penal Code Law 2022 and Violence Against Persons Prevention Law are parts of the judicial processes review initiated by his administration to make way for speedy court process and decisions to serve justice to appropriate persons locked in any legal battle.

Bala Mohammed said the laws opened a new chapter in criminal administration and guaranteed speedy dispensation of justice that would go a long way in addressing and curtailing criminal activities and cases of insecurity in the state. 

He said the laws would also enhance the quality of justice and strengthen the rule of law by reinvigorating the level of security, sanity and confidence of the citizens in the judicial system.

The governor said since the inception of his administration, it has been striving to ensure that the judiciary enjoys a level playing field to operate without hindrance by giving priority attention to the needs of the judiciary knowing its importance and the vital position it occupies in the stability of the polity and the society in general.

He promised that his administration would continue to do everything humanly possible within the limited resources available to cooperate and collaborate with other arms of government to bring about human and capital development and secure the state against criminal elements to attract investment and expand economic activities.

The governor said the need to enhance the efficient and effective dispensation of justice cannot be overemphasised, hence the need for collaboration in the areas of investment in continuous training of judges, magistrates and court personnel to boost their skills and keep them abreast of legal developments.

The state chief judge, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, commended Governor Mohammed over his support for the judiciary and pledged that the judiciary would continue to improve on its performance in the best interest of the state.

She urged lawyers, the police and personnel of correctional centres to assist the court in the smooth dispensation of justice through judicious case management devoid of technicalities and unnecessary delay.