Kebbi Government Sensitises Judges On Innovations In New Criminal Justice, Penal Code Laws

Kebbi Government Sensitises Judges On Innovations In New Criminal Justice, Penal Code Laws

The Kebbi Government, on Thursday, sensitised magistrates and sharia court judges on notable innovations in the new administration of criminal justice and penal code law 2021 of the state.

It could be recalled that on Jan. 26, 2021, the state Governor, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, assented to Administration of Criminal Justice Law and Penal Code Law 2021 with aim of conforming with the necessary revolution in the laws globally.

While addressing the judges in Birnin Kebbi at the workshop for the judges, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Sulaiman Ambursa, said that some fundamental innovations had been introduced in the new laws, expressing their collective resolve to leave no stone unturned in the discharge of their duties.

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“You may recall that the two laws we are discussing today were thoroughly attended to by the State House of Assembly and subsequently assented to by the Executive Governor on 26th January, 2021.

“The aims and objectives of the laws are for the state to conform with the necessary revolution in the administration of criminal justice as done globally, taking into consideration the complexity of modern techniques bin the commission of crime, prosecution and the corresponding penalty to ensure efficiency and speedy management of criminal trials in the state.

“There is also the need to strictly adhere to the provision of the constitution pertaining to fundamental rights and the protection of the larger society from crime,” he said.

Ambursa commended the entire members of the judiciary for the support given to him since his assumption of office as the Chief Judge of the state.

“I equally extend my unreserved gratitude to the other two arms of government in the state, particularly the governor and Speaker of the assembly, Alhaji Abdulmumin Kamba,for keeping cordial relationship with the judiciary,” he commenced.

He also called on the judges to ensure that the necessary revenue is remitted to the government.

“I urge you to note that from the nature of the provisions of the new penal code which provides for punishment ” Not less than” , we can easily fish out defaulters in remitting the revenue collected,” the justice urged.

Presenting a paper entitled; “Notable Innovations in the Administration of Criminal Justice law 2021 and the Penal Code, 2021 of Kebbi State of Nigeria”, Justice Sabi’u Shuaibu, said the new law was unique in many respects.

“And has by and large taken into consideration certain aspects of the abolished Criminal Procedure Law which were of immense concern to Human Rights Groups and other stakeholders in the Administration of Criminal Justice in Northern Nigeria in general and Kebbi State in particular.

“The new Penal Code, 2021 has, for instance, introduced the terms “not less than” in more than 90 per cent of the punishments provided in the various sections of the new code.

“The terminology hitherto used in the amended Penal Code was “shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend to … or with fine or both,” he said.

Earlier, the Secretary Judicial Service Commission, Hassan Shehu-Kuwa, said the aim of the workshop was to enligten the judges on the need to embrace the new innovations for speedy dispensaries of Justice.