The Ebonyi State government has expressed concern over the rising trend of repeated court adjournments, blaming the delays on lawyers allegedly using the tactic for personal financial gain.
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Ben Odoh, made this known in Abakaliki during the “Civic Catalyst: HAG Open Forum 2.0,” a meeting that brought together key justice sector stakeholders.
Odoh announced that the state is preparing to amend its Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) after a stakeholders’ town hall meeting scheduled for next year. The amendment, he said, aims to curb the persistent issue of unnecessary court delays that slow down the justice process.
According to him, Ebonyi will introduce punitive costs for lawyers who request frivolous adjournments, similar to the model currently used in Delta State.
“We are marking the 2019 Administration of Criminal Justice Act, but for me, it is already outdated. Delta State has amended theirs, and Ebonyi intends to follow the same path,” he said.
He explained that the proposed amendment will ensure that lawyers who seek more than three adjournments in criminal cases may face fines of up to ₦500,000, as practiced in Delta. This measure, he added, will discourage intentional delays and improve judicial efficiency.
Odoh also revealed that the government plans to expand the Citizens Mediation Centre to all 13 local government areas. The goal is to make dispute resolution faster and more accessible, eliminating the need for residents to travel to Abakaliki to resolve minor conflicts.
Additionally, he noted that Chief Magistrates in Ebonyi State have been legally empowered to conduct monthly visits to police stations within their jurisdiction. This mandate ensures that suspects held beyond the lawful detention period are released promptly, strengthening human rights protection within the state.
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