[ikechiji]

Let me first start with a press statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mr. Timothy Oyedeji:

“Consequently, all government agencies fighting corruption, money laundering, child trafficking and other crimes are expected to perfect their modus operandi and ensure that they operate within the precinct and ambit of the laws establishing them, and, more importantly, in deference to relevant constitutional provisions."

How can telling agencies to "operate within the precinct and ambit of the laws establishing them" be a misplaced priority?

Profilic writer and Attorney-at-Law Paul Adujie now wants the new A-G to make prison decongestion a priority! In the previous 8 years that your godfather OBJ was in power, where did Paul Adujie call for prison reforms?

OBJ experienced Nigerian prisons first-hand. You claim he set up a prison decongestion commission. He did squat for prison reforms in the 8 years he was in power. And now you want the new A-G who is not even in charge of the Nigerian Prisons Service to champion prison reforms? Give me a break!

The issue of people spending years in jail while awaiting trial is IMHO a gross violation of their fundamental rights. The courts not A-G are ultimately more responsible for this. The courts ultimately dictate the trial calendar. If you have 1 judge per 10000 people awaiting trial and the courts claim they do not have enough judges, how do you expect the new A-G to even suggest a remedy the situation without thoroughly studying the situation on the ground and dialoguing with all the relevant stakeholders. The solution to the delayed justice problem in Nigeria should be based on hard facts, not rush-to-the-press statements.

Odego