The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has asked the Borno State government to urgently adopt and implement the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to reduce post insurgency crimes committed by minors in the state.
NBA President, Olumide Akpata said the bill if passed would eliminate inconsistency and unpredictability in criminal trials.
He made the call at a public forum with stakeholders on the domestication and implementation of the ACJ Act held in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Represented by the NBA National Publicity Secretary, Dr Rapuluchukwu Nduka, Akpata noted the importance of ACJA in the criminal justice system of the country and said it is very important that the state makes available copies of the law to the general public for better appreciation and understanding of the law.
“There are a lot of complaints that things are not going well in the judiciary system, the time for trials in court, we are trying to sort those things out, the main concern of this particular gathering is the ACJA.
“The federal government has enacted acts, these acts will help speedy trials and every other thing that would endanger trust in the system, of course, this will reduce crime rates in this state if it is adopted and implemented.”
On his part, the Chairman NBA, Maiduguri Branch, Abba Umate stressed the importance of ACJA and expressed optimism that the state assembly would give speedy passage to the bill so that the rate of crimes is brought to minimal levels.
He noted that “The crimes are on the high side, the crimes that young people commit are very alarming so what we need to do is to ensure the bill, which is the subject matter here today, is passed and implemented.
“If they are charged to court without due delay and they are convicted, the rate of the crimes will be reduced. I think what is needed now is to see that this Administration of Criminal Justice act is speedily passed and duly implemented in Borno State.”
The Assistant Commissioner of Police, Borno State, Ahmad Bello while collaborating with others, lamented the high crime rate perpetrated by young people in the state, urging concerned authorities to roll out educative programmes and the right knowledge.
He said: “There’s what we call post-insurgency crimes, the fact that the restoration of civil authority is taking place and that most of the young children have been exposed to violent crimes and criminality.
“This is the major problem that is bedevilling the state. As you know, joblessness could lead to crimes and we need to roll out seminars and enlightenment programmes for young people.”
