Tuesday, 25 August 2015

Lawyers in National Assembly Back Plans for Special Anti-Corruption Courts


230715F-Muhammadu-Buhari.jpg - 230715F-Muhammadu-Buhari.jpg
 President Muhammadu Buhari
Damilola Oyedele in Abuja
The Forum of Lawyers in the Nigerian Legislature has expressed support for President Muhammadu Buhari's plan to establish special courts to try corruption cases.
Co-convener of the forum, Hon. Uzoma Nkem-Abonta (Abia PDP) said at the inauguration of the Forum in Abuja Monday that the special courts would greatly assist in reducing corruption in Nigeria.
He however called for a total reform of the nation's criminal justice system, criminal legislation, the police, prison service and the judiciary.
"We are fighting for the criminal justice reform, the laws are being passed  and amended so that we can have enough criminal reform that will bring justice to all and citizens too. Criminal justice reform covers a whole lot of sectors. It encompasses court rooms, even police and court itself. Even the attitude of the prisoners involved , prison, police and the court room," Abonta said.
"The police Act we are using now is the 1950 Act. Is it still relevant today? So it is a whole lot of reform that is needed. Is the prison Act contained in the Constitution, who is running the prison?" the lawmaker added.
He reiterated the commitment of the eighth assembly to the anti-corruption bid of the Buhari administration, and urged parliamentary lawyers and support staff to improve their capacities to assist the legislators on the bid.

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