Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor has advised judges and others involved in the dispensation of justice to always imbibe principles of equity, fairness and good conscience in the discharge of their duties.
Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, gave the advice on Monday in Awka at the Eucharistic celebration to commemorate the beginning of the 2014/2015 Legal Year of Anambra Judiciary.
“First, although the criminal has so to say lost his integrity through his or her behaviour, we are still challenged to treat them with utmost respect because of their God given dignity.
“t is absolutely important to expedite the trial of offenders. The situation of keeping people awaiting trial for years is unacceptable justice.
“The second proposal I want to make is about public enlightenment.
“A visit to our prisons shows that some of the convicts are there because they were deceived either by the investigating police officer or someone else to plead guilty to the offence.
“The convicts are made to believe that if they plead guilty, they will be able to regain their freedom.
“I think that there is need for public enlightenment campaign to make sure that no innocent victim of circumstance is put behind bars through deceit,” he said.
The cleric also criticised the situation where minors were sometimes being held in the same facilities with convicted adult offenders.
“If this is true, we can expect that these minors will come out of these places hardened all the more.’’
The bishop said that for the good of the society, suitable facilities for the reform of juvenile offenders should be made available.
“This is a campaign that all of us should prosecute both as members of the bar and the bench; your leadership in this matter is needed since you operate an essential component of the justice system,” Ezeokafor said.
In a remark, Gov. Willie Obiano thanked the state judiciary for its complementary role in the fight against crimes in the state.
The governor said he had approved the appointment of eight more judges to fast-track justice dispensation.
Obiano disclosed that he had approved the construction of 30 magistrate court halls across the state.
In a special court session to mark the event, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Peter Umeadi, restated the need for financial autonomy for the judiciary.
He said this was in compliance with Section 121 (3) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigerian and a recent court judgment.
Umeadi commended the judiciary staff for their hard work and assured them that he would continue to ensure improvement in their welfare. (NAN)
