Akwa Ibom State Governor Mr Udom Emmanuel has saluted the Nigerian Judiciary for the role it has played in consolidating democratic ideals in the country.
The Governor made the commendation while declaring open a- three day Conference of the Network of Justice Sector Reform Teams at the Multipurpose Hall, Judiciary Headquarters, Uyo.
He said the judiciary as the third arm of government has adhered to the principle of separation of power and commended the Supreme Court for the courage in dispensing justice in its temple without fear or fervour.
Mr Emmanuel lauded the vision and collaborative work the conference of Network of Justice Sector Reform Teams have done to speed up of delivery of justice in the country and devotion to addressing critical issues that delay the dispensation of justice with a view to fashion out solution and create a template that can fit similar cases across board.
Governor Emmanuel called on the Team to look into the issue of prison decongestion to reduce the high proportion of awaiting trial cases and access to Pro - Bono Legal Representation for accused persons who cannot afford the services of a lawyer.
He expressed delight at the Justice Reform Sector in the state headed by the State Chief Judge, Justice Stephen Okon, for recording significant success particularly in the area of free Legal Services , Establishment of Family Courts as well as Multi Door Court Houses and commended the establishment of the Sexual Assault Referral Centre at Immanuel Hospital Eket and the team of Professionals , Police , Ministry of Women Affairs, Health and the Judiciary and pledged to partner the sector to achieve its mandate.
The Governor said his administration would deal decisively with perpetrators of sexual assault and expressed hope that the Conference would come out with blue prints to facilitate justice delivery.
The Chairman Justice Sector Reform team and Solicitor General of the Federation , Mr Taiwo Abidogun said that the network is appreciated based on the various security challenges facing the country and that the institution focuses on justice delivery system and the Rule of Law stressing that collaborative efforts from the stakeholders is intended to enable participants compare notes and evolve a way forward for the judiciary.
Mr Abidogun noted that without an efficient legal system no investor would want to risk investing in the country and that to achieve a national economic breakthrough the justice sector must take pains to review the extant statutes and justice delivery to guarantee the Rights of the citizens.He congratulated Akwa Ibom for the several reforms witnessed in the state and expressed delight at the spate of development in the state.
Earlier the State Chief Judge said that the Justice Reform Sector which was established in 2014 has made significant progress in justice delivery and announced plans to train Police in the state command and specialised prosecutors in the Ministry of Justice and Women Affairs and to equipped the Sexual Assault Referral Centres in Uyo and Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Districts.
Justice Okon noted that the State Reform Centres would synergize with the Justice Reform Network Teams to enhance access to justice administration and solicited more assistance from other Agencies for manpower training and utilisation of the Centres to help victims of rape and other sexual assault.
0 comments :
Post a Comment