Nasarawa State: Attorney General Wants Quick Trial of Criminal Cases

The Nasarawa State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Labaran Magaji says he will ensure speedy trials of criminal cases to decongest the Correctional centres in the state.

Magaji stated this when he hosted the state Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, on a courtesy visit in Lafia, the North Central Nasarawa state capital.

He said “The delay in justice of the trial is among the reason for the congestion of correctional centers across the state and also lead to the denial and delay of justice for individuals.

“Decongesting of prison is one issue that keeps recurring on every opportunity the criminal justice system is on the front burner, for the prison to be decongested, it is beholding on the citizen to see to it that the rule of law is the grading principles.”

Magaji also urged the citizens to always obey the law of the land to avoid being faced trial at any cost, stressing that the state government would not fold its hand to allow people to break law and order and go score free.

He said; “The citizens need to understand that there is a law in place and need the citizen’s maximum cooperation to work together as friends.

“There is a need to review some of the trials to find out awaiting trials, what is delaying their trial, there are some offenses that ordinarily people should serve some alternative punishment rather than being detained but because of certain sentiments either from the prosecution or judges the same group of people would be sent to prison which need not be there, it is therefore unacceptable, as I would make sure justice is served for the people.” 

He further urged Journalists to support the ambition of Governor Abdullahi Sule to move the state forward.

Magaji said; “This is one office that is key to sustainable progress and peace that is needed for any development to thrive in any society so failure of this office is the failure of the entire system.

“The policy direction and sincerity that can be found in any leader has been exhibited by Governor Abdullahi Sule, he is one person with a clear vision for the right of every citizen of Nasarawa State and beyond to be protected, because he truly believes in the rule of Law.”

The Commissioner promised to continue to partner with the state correspondent chapel for the development of the Ministry and the state at large.

The State Correspondent Chairman, Mr. Isaac Ukpoju, said the purpose of the visit is to solicit his cooperation to enable journalists to carry out their duties effectively, particularly the criminal justice.

He assured him of the chapel’s readiness to support the ministry for the development of the state and Nigeria at large.

Mercy Chukwudiebere