The Plateau Government has launched the Administration of Criminal Access to Justice Law to reform the judicial system of the state.
The law was launched in partnership with the Public Private Development Centre (PPDC), a non-governmental organisation.
Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who unveiled the law at a town hall meeting on Monday in Jos, underscored the need for judiciary to embrace and make use of the new law for easy access to justice by common citizens.
Mutfwang, who stated this at the public presentation workshop on the law organized by PPDC, said that the criminal justice system is very terrible for all in the country, hence the need for the reform.
The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of State, Mr Samuel Jatau, said that the country’s criminal justice system was terrible.
“I don’t know about other countries or other states, but I believe it’s one of the worst.
“Someone can be in jail innocently for 10 years just because of delays.
“Therefore, we must embrace this technology if we want to move forward as people in the state and the country at large,” he said.
Mutfwang commended the PPDC for their partnership to reform the Plateau judicial system and promised to ensure that all three arms of government in the state emulate the new technology.
The governor restated the state government’s commitment to partner with the PPPC for a vibrant and effective legal criminal justice system on the Plateau.
Mr Philemon Dafi, Plateau State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, gave an overview of the need for the state government to restructure the judiciary sector with new technologies for easy access to justice.
Dafi said that this partnership would ensure that the government would do away with obsolete pieces of legislation that were scattered everywhere, adding that they must be brought under one roof.
“Before I assumed office, the Ministry of Justice was on oxygen, the filing cabinet in 1974, or before the old metal cabinet was dilapidated.
“So we quickly did a legislative audit and saw some legislative gaps in certain places where we needed to put in proper perspectives in order to commence.
“We also installed a log mask with the Space X Internet service because you cannot talk about virtual hearing or trial without the Internet.
“Now, I know the number of cases that are in court and their stages of proceeding. I also know the parties, their suit numbers, and everything about that particular case and the next agenda with the press of a button. He said.
Prof. Dakas C.J. Dakas (SAN), Keynote Speaker, spoke on PPDC access to justice with the theme “Swift and Efficient Justice in Plateau: Myth or Reality.”.
Dakas emphasized the critical link between swift justice and access to justice, highlighting the challenges in existing the judicial ecosystem once accessed.
The legal luminary highlighted the common adage that “justice delayed is justice denied” and the risks of uncertainty and potential rights violations in the absence of swift justice.
“Swift and efficient justice is not just a lofty ideal but a fundamental requirement for maintaining order, stability, protecting individual rights, and upholding the rule of law in society,” he said.