Kogi Chief Judge Orders Accelerated Hearing of Criminal Cases to Decongest Courts

For the next couple of weeks, all the divisions of the high court of justice of Kogi State, will be sitting across the state, to attend to only criminal cases before them.

This declaration followed an order by the Chief Judge of Kogi State, Hon. Justice Nasiru Ajanah who has set aside two weeks for Assizes in the High Court of the State.

The Chief Judge who gave the order pursuant to Section 67 of the High Court Law (Cap 48), said that when all the divisions of the High Court of Justice in the State, are strictly dedicating hearings to only criminal matters in a process that will last up to the 31st of March, 2017, the ultimate aim of decongest- ing the courts and speedily dispensing justice, would have been served.

He had earlier noted during an interactive session with stakeholders in the administration of criminal justice in the State, that the essence of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 was to enable accused persons access justice without delay. He pointed out that, it was in that direction that the Kogi State Judiciary was determined to bring justice to the door step of the citizens.

He therefore, urged all relevant agencies in the administration of criminal justice in the State, to brace up to take the advantage of the window provided by the Assizes to bring succor to the many awaiting trial inmates in the State.

While particularly mentioning that the Nigerian Prisons Service deserves the support of all concerned agencies, he said its officials need to be helped to facilitate the appearance of accused persons in courts.

He noted that the objectives of the Assizes would be defeated, if accused persons were not brought to courts.

The stakeholders meeting, which had representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Prisons Service, Nigeria Police, the NBA and the Legal Aid Council in attendance, was also used by the Chief Judge to encourage the Legal Aid Council to continue offering free legal aid services to indigent accused persons standing trial, without legal representation.

He urged all litigants in the state to take advantage of the two weeks opportunity, while assuring all that, the judiciary would constantly develop options that would not only relieve the court system of congestion, but would always take cognisance of the fact that the prison facilities across the State were already overstretched, and the situation warrants urgent and proactive attention allround the year.

It is the second time that the High Court of Kogi State is declaring Assizes in the first quarter of the year 2017, in order to clear the courts of criminal cases bordering on armed robbery, kidnapping, rape, culpable homicide etc.