CAPIO TO EDUCATE RURAL DWELLERS ON ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE LAW

Magistrates have been charged to be firm in the discharge of their duties.

Guests on Media Link, a Radio Nigeria Enugu Live Interactive programme gave the charge while discussing the topic “Duties and Powers of Magistrates under the Administration of Criminal Justice Law”

A guest, the Executive Director of Carmelite Prisoners Interest Organization CAPIO, Reverend father Ambrose Ekereoku explained that some Magistrates were afraid to exercise their powers.

According to him, a Magistrate has the power to investigate a matter before it instead of depending solely on the police report.

He said that under the Administration of Criminal Law, a Magistrate was mandated to visit every legal agency that has the right of arrest, at least once a month   to ensure that people were not detained beyond the required time.

Father   Ekereoku noted that the Magistrate under the law could discharge people whom the police refuse to provide their case file.

Another guest, a Legal Officer with the organization ,Miss Jenifer  Onabu Rekhalem  explained that Magistrate had no power for jurisdiction over capital offences especially the one that its punishment involves  life imprisonment.

She explained that some people were being trained to educate the people in the rural areas on the law.

Callers in the programme stressed on the need to ensure its implementation.

TESSY AGWA