Imo CJ counsels security agents, legal experts on ACJL implementation
The Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka has tasked law enforcement officials to always uphold the ideals of justice and fairness in their investigations and prosecutions.
She stressed that lawyers must preserve the integrity of the legal practice while zealously defending their clients’ interests, just as civil society organizations must continue monitoring and assisting to ensure the protection of individuals’ rights.
Chukwuemeka-Chikeka gave the injunction when she declared open, a two-day Implementation Assessment and Capacity Building workshop on the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Imo State organized by the Nigerian Bar Association in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation in Owerri.
The Chief Judge noted that the Administration of Criminal Justice Law was one of the main pillars of the nation’s legal system, orchestrated to ensure that justice is carried out effectively, promptly and equitably.
She averred that its proper implementation was essential to defending people’s rights, protecting the innocent and ensuring that those who violate the law receive appropriate punishment.
She enthused, “The law aims to create a delicate balance between the right of the accused and the needs of society to ensure that justice is served.”
She explained that the workshop, apart from providing a veritable avenue to evaluate the implementation of the ACJL in the state, equally presented a rare opportunity for all parties involved in the administration of criminal justice to share their experiences, struggles and triumphs since the inception of the ACJL.
In his address, the Chairman of Owerri branch NBA, Chris Ihentuge, explained that the essence of ACJL as contained in section 2 (1) of the ACJL of Imo State was to ensure that the system of criminal justice promotes efficient management of criminal justice institutions, protection of the rights and interests of the suspect and victim.
With the provision of Section 535 of the law, which makes it mandatory for the law to be reviewed not later than 10 years from the time of commencement, Ihentuge said that some of the points and recommendations from the workshop would form part of the law when due for review.
Adding his voice, the Imo State Comptroller of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Kingsley Njoku, noted that since the passing into law of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act of 2015, the NBA had become the catalyst through which the administration of criminal justice was driven.
He said, “Your passion for success has helped in no small way in energizing the other parts of the criminal justice institutions in defending the understanding of the criminal justice law.”
