Prisons Authorities Want Elimination Of Holding Charges

Authorities of Port Harcourt Prisons have advocated for the elimination of “holding charges” in the administration of criminal justice in Rivers State.
The controller of Port Harcourt Prisons, who was represented by Mr. Onyekachi Ajah, stated this while speaking at workshop on the implementation of the administration of criminal Justice Law of Rivers State 2015 in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Mr. Ajah opined that accused persons ought to be charged to courts with jurisdiction within the shortest possible time.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Florence Fibresima, noted that the workshop was organized to sensitise people on the administration of criminal justice in the state.
Mrs. Fibresima stated that though the law was passed in 2015, there was a need for stakeholders in the system to dialogue for better and smoother administration.
She said those who engaged in criminal justice administration in the state were aware that the law was currently in use.
She said the stakeholders which included; Judges, Magistrates, members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the police and prisons authorities would facilitate effective implementation of the law.
Also speaking, the South-South Coordinator of Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP), Mr. Wilfred Ziregbe, said about 20 states in the Nigerian Federation had domesticated the Federal Act and it was necessary to ensure the law was implemented at the state.
He said the purpose workshop was to ensure judicial officers, laws, magistrates and law enforcement get acquainted with the news law and the charges therein.

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