ABUJA – The House of Representatives yesterday urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to review cases where individuals had been held in pre-trial detention for an extended period and take necessary steps to expedite their trials.
It also urged the Judiciary to adopt innovative case management strategies to ensure timely hearings, “with special consideration for individuals who have endured an undue amount of time in pre-trial detention.
This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Ahmed Sani Muhammad at plenary in Abuja.
Moving the motion, Muhammad noted that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the International Human Rights Standard underscored the fundamental right to a fair and speedy trial.
He observed that numerous individuals were languishing in prolonged pre-trial detention, often exceeding legal limits by years, thereby violating their rights, and contributing to prison overcrowding.
He said further that a significant number of these individuals were detained for minor offences requiring minimal or no extensive investigation.
The lawmaker expressed concerns that the delay in adjudicating legal matters results in prison congestion, violates the rights of the accused, and erodes public confidence in the judicial system.
“Alarmed that trial delays dissuade witness appearances and compromise the integrity of the judicial “process. Cognizant of the need to address this systemic injustice and uphold the fundamental right to a fair trial for all,” he said.
The House, however, in it’s resolutions, mandated the committee on judiciary, human right and Prison service to investigate the causes of pretrial delays, propose necessary reform and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
