Inconclusive investigation before arraignment costing justice delivery – Report

A non-profit organisation, Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), has called on prosecuting agencies to ensure conclusion of investigations before drafting charges on corruption related matter in court.

Speaking yesterday in Abuja during the presentation of findings from court proceedings and monitoring, Project Manager of the project, Tolu Ojeshina, said it would reduce the request for frivolous adjustments and curtail striking out of corruption related matters from courts.

She explained that one of the causes of delay in justice delivery was because of incessant adjournment of cases for further investigation.

Ojeshina suggested that the courts should implore the intention of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) on “speedy trial and effective dispensation of justice” to exercise their discretion on erring parties and their representatives in courts.

She stressed that it was necessary to enforce fines for non-appearance for all parties, as provided for in the ACJA.

Based on the key findings on anti-corruption cases, Ojeshina said that regarding trial proceedings, it has been observed that corruption cases take a longer period from arraignments till commencement of hearing.

She added that it took 91 days for commencement of hearing post arraignments as compared to other criminal cases which took 49 days or less.

Ojeshina said 50 percent of the corruption cases monitored were struck out which included decisions on preliminary objections such as issues of jurisdiction of court to hear the matter.