Lawyer Seeks Law On Bail Conditions

A Lawyer and  Senior Ad
vocate of Nigeria (SAN),  Mr Augustine Alegeh, has advocated for a law specifying the limits within which a judge can impose sentence on a convict.
Making the call in a keynote address at the opening of this year’s Law week of the Aguata branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Alegeh also also said that bail conditions should be clearly spelt out in the country’s judicial system.
He said that the bail conditions should be based on the nature of the offence, adding that the judge would be obliged to operate within such a clearly defined regime.
According to him  a law on sentencing was desirable as it would constrict the decisions of a judge.
“The more constricted the law is, the less room the judge will have in dishing out favours. “Again, once a judge follows the provisions of such a law, there will be no room to condemn him or unjustly criticise his decision.’’
He also called for urged a review of the discretion given to the judges in the area of damages.
Alegeh advised political leaders to formulate and implement people-oriented policies stating that the harmonious relationship between law and politics in a democratic set up should have the corresponding effect of promoting national unity as both were interdependent factors.
“This is because all governmental activities will be carried out in a manner prescribed by the law, and corruption, insurrection, insecurity and others will be reduced in the polity. “The judiciary has a huge role to play in our bid to ensure that our democracy is not scuttled. “The court must take proactive steps  in ensuring that only sound and well researched judgments are delivered without fear of favour,’’ he said.