Adamawa Lacks Functional Criminal Registry — CJ

Justice Nathan Musa, the Chief Judge of Adamawa, has identified the lack of a functional central criminal registry as a challenge to the successful implementation of the administration of criminal justice law.

Mr Musa stated this at the implementation assessment of the law organised by the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, in collaboration with the MacArthur Foundation on Thursday in Yola.

The Chief Judge, who was represented by Justice Kyanson Samuel, said that the central registry would help judges to know the offender status either he or she is the first offender or have criminal record.

He said that the judge would like to know whether offender was previously convicted on the subject matter for maximum sentence unlike the first offender speedy dispensation of justice.

The chief judge also attributed the challenges to a lack of funds and manpower, among others.

Blues Kaigama, Assistant Comptroller of Correctional Centre, Adamawa, also confirmed that with the law has eased their duties.

He added that it also helps in the area of legal advice from the Department of Public Prosecution, DPP.

Mr Kaigama added that criminal justice monitoring committee is also making progress as the result of the law.

On his part, Sikiru Akande, Commissioner of Police, Adamawa Command, also identified some of the challenges to include, taking suspects to court for lack of enough vehicles, maintenance and fuel.

Mr Akande, represented by ACP Nkem Rapel, added that lack of equipment and gadgets as well as not receiving timely reports from Hope Centre on Sexual Gender-Based Violence, SGBV.

In his votes of thank, Jibirin Jimeta, the Chairman NBA, Adamawa chapter, commended the organisers for the assessment.

He described the assessment as apt which open up for the discussion on the challenges and success in Adamawa.

Mr Jimeta expressed optimism for things to get better at the end of the day for speedy dispensation of justice. NAN