TheHILL. | NEWS | April 21, 2021.
Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Mr Onofiok Luke has called for a reform of the criminal justice system in the country.
Speaking at a stakeholders dialogue organised by National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies(NILDS) in partnership with Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action( PRAWA) at the complex of the National Assembly on Wednesday, Luke said that equal measure of consideration should be given to it just like it is done to Electoral Reforms.
Luke advised that judicial officers, lawyers and correctional facility officers should be engaged in the discussion to get their perspectives on the matter.
He assured that the leadership of the House under Speaker Mr Femi Gbajabiamila will take the recommendations from the dialogue. He cited several Bills before the 9th Assembly that have been geared toward reforming the justice system of the country.
The lawmaker also advocated witness protection. ” For effective reform of the criminal justice system, there must be child witness protection. Some of our witnesses are victims”, Luke said.
Addressing the representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC), Luke said the anti graft agency should desist from media trail of persons who have been accused.
Luke appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment of a cadet officer as Chairman of EFCC. He said it was the right thing to do other than appoint an external person to head the agency.
He called on all to shun individualistic position and come together to get the country working.
