From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Justice Henry Olusuyi, CJ
Following the devastation arising from COVID-19 pandemic, the Acting Chief Judge of Kogi State, Justice Henry Olusuyi, has stressed the need for decongestion of Detention Cells and Correctional Centre across the the state.
The CJ also warned against detention of suspects more than necessary to enhance speedy administration of Justice noting that the present situation arising from COVID-19 lockdown has caused the cells and correctional centres to be over crowded beyond capacity.
Justice Olusuyi stated this when he paid a courtesy visit to the State Commissioner of Police , CP Ayuba Ede in office on Wednesday, promising that the State Judiciary is set for the speedy trial of criminal cases .
He explained that his visit to Police Headquarters was as a result of the complaints laid about the congestion of the Police Custody following the refusal of Correctional Centres to receive the awaiting trial suspects especially in this period of COVID-19 pandemic that has changed so many things around the world .
The CJ restated the commitment of the Judiciary to continue to partner with all the security agencies in the state particularly the Police Command in quick dispensation of justice.
“We are here to identify with your arduous task of maintaining law and order in this difficult time. We have come to see how you have been coping with the new challenges the command is facing to combat crimes,” the CJ said.
He reiterated that suspects should not be kept in the correctional centres more than necessary stressing that the magistrate’s courts were opened for all cases, while the high courts have gone on vacation and that criminal cases will be handled on daily basis as soon as the vacation is over.
He therefore commended the Commissioner of Police CP Ayuba Ede in his efforts to combat crimes in Kogi State.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ede Ayuba who vowed not to relent in flushing out criminal elements in the state, led the Acting Chief Judge to inspect the Police Custody at the Command Headquarters and A Division where suspects that have just been arrested by the police operatives for different crimes were detained.
Justice Olusuyi however, assured the suspects of the speedy trial of their cases as soon as possible.
