“The arbitrary discretion which some police officers have always arrogated to themselves in detaining citizens in police cells without preferring any charge(s) against them and other ancillary abuses would be put under check as the new Administration of Criminal Justice is domesticated in Edo State.”
This was the assertion of the Chief Judge and Chairman, Edo State Administration of Justice Committee, Hon. Justice C.O. Idahosa when he visited Prison Facilities in Ubiaja and Auchi, Edo Central and Edo North, Friday, as part of the committee’s effort at decongesting prisons in the state.
Justice Idahosa while intimating the magistrates and President of Area/District Customary Courts said “I would place premium on the new role assigned to magistrates under section 34 of the said Act.
“The magistrate, or where there is no Chief Magistrate within the Police Division, any magistrate designated by the Chief Judge for that purpose, shall at least every month, conduct an inspection of Police Stations or other places of detentions within his/her territorial jurisdiction other than the prison.
He said during the visit, the magistrate may call for and inspect the record of arrest; direct the arraignment of the suspect; where bail has been refused, grant bail to any suspect where appropriate.
Hon. Justice Idahosa further maintained that “under sub-section 3, the officer in charge of such Division is bound to make full record of arrest and record of bail available to the magistrate.
He added that “under sub-section 5 of the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act, any default by the officer in charge, in making available to the visiting magistrate shall be treated as misconduct and dealt with in accordance with relevant police regulation under the Police Act.
While x-raying the various lists of inmates awaiting trials in both the Criminal Division in Ubiaja, Ekpoma Auchi and other Customary/District Customary Courts, Justice Idahosa regretted the absence of a sitting Judge at the Auchi High Court.
He however assured that in no distant time Judges would be appointed to facilitate all cases under the Auchi High Court Jurisdiction.
Hon. Justice C.O. Idahosa used the occasion of the visit to remind all Chief Registrars, Assistant Chief Registrars and other registrars as well as state and private counsels to be proactive in their jobs.
He said “Private Counsels or state counsels under the ministry of Justice who collect 25 percent upfront from clients and do not appear in courts to prosecute their cases will be reported to the appropriate judicial organ for disciplinary measure against such individuals.
According to him “Gentlemen of the bar, take note of what am saying, I mean it because all these flimsy excuses will not help matter. You can’t collect 25 percent upfront from your client and later be out of sight. We will not tolerate it,” he said emphatically.
At Ubiaja medium security prison, Hon. Justice C.O, Idahosa Judicial pardon went to two inmates; Christopher Eborimen, a tradomedical doctor who allegedly murdered a female in a bid to treat the deceased of hemorrhage, he was subsequently arrested and was remanded in prison custody for 11 years.
Also, Maria Oboze who has been in prison custody for 4 years for an offence of alleged murder was released on health ground.
While in Auchi, Justice C.O. Idahosa granted judicial pardon to Paul Lawani, Ahmed Idris Ahmed and a 29 years old young man, Usuman Yusuf allegedly charged for assault, and was remanded to Auchi Prison.
Sources revealed to “The Nigerian OBSERVER” that Usuman Yusuf later had Psychiatric problem and was referred to Central Benin Prison where he was taken for treatment.
However, Luck came on Usuman when the Chief Judge visited Central Benin Prison where he took a retrospective look and directed that he be brought to Auchi last Friday where Usuman Yusuf had his freedom.
Speaking to The Nigerian OBSERVER, the newly discharged inmate, Usuaman Yusuf thanked God for the life of the Chief Judge for his mercy on him.
He said “there is no gain in Crime and called on Youths in the country to refrain from crimes and criminality.
Earlier in their separate addresses, the Deputy-Comptroller Auchi prison, Mr. Godwin Erboran and his counterpart at Ubiaja, Mr. Sunday Oyakhire commended the Chief Judge of the state for his effort at reducing the number of inmates in the various prisons in the state.
They however appealed to the State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole to come to their aid as they were faced with numerous challenges which include inadequate transportation to move inmates to courts, absence of water among others.
The three days visit by the Administration of Justice Committee led by his Lordship, the Chief Judge of the State has ended with the visit to Auchi Medium Security Prison.
