Whats on my mind? - LOVE CONQUERS ALL! “The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mariam Mukhtar, has said security agencies in the country take suspects to court before looking for evidence to prosecute them! [punchng/news/police-arraign-suspects-before-looking-for-evidence-cjn/] “Justice Mukhtar identified the practice as one of the reasons for undue delays in the criminal justice administration system in the country.” We affirm that it is not just “for undue delays,” but, more of criminal miscarriage of justice! “The CJN spoke at a special session organised by the Supreme Court to mark the commencement of the 2013/2014 Legal Year, as well as the inauguration of 17 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria in Abuja on Monday. “She frowned at the ‘unwholesome practice of some security agents involved in the criminal justice administration system,’ particularly the arraignment of suspects without first gathering evidence for prosecution. “It is common knowledge that our security agencies usually rush to the courts with suspects, before looking for evidence to prosecute them. “The persistent use of the ‘Holden Charge’ by these agencies to detain awaiting trial suspects, is a major contributor to the high number of cases pending in our courts,” she said. “The CJN advised the security agencies to emulate the practice in other parts of the world, where adequate evidences were obtained before suspects were arrested and charged to court. “Admonishing the security agencies to adopt a more effective approach, she said, ‘This procedure is a far cry from what obtains in other democracies, where discrete surveillance is placed on crime suspects who are painstakingly stalked by security agents, until such a time when enough evidence would have been obtained for their arrest, arraignment and prosecution.’ ” I would want everyone reading this to ask if they sincerely think the security agencies would ever adopt more effective approaches? You would most likely say, NO! That is a rational and realistic answer, but, that does not augur well for our existence. We cannot SIDDONLOOK! In the late 80s at Ibadan, a policeman engaged a group of young boys in a contest over a girl. The boys won the affection of the girl and the cop snapped his fingers at them. These boys were promptly arrested at the next reported incidence of armed robbery. These boys were severely tortured until “confessional statements” were obtained from them. The cop thereafter apologized that he only wanted to teach them a lesson and would soon have them released as soon as the Magistrate who signed their warrant of arrest came back from leave. All the wounds inflicted on them to obtain the “confessional statements” were healed. The boys were stunned beyond reasoning when he arraigned them for armed robbery with the “confessional statements” on the day he said they were to be released. Imagine the thoughts of your mind concerning those boys being sentenced to death and you reading about them? It would be near impossible to prove that the statements were obtained under duress with all the wounds healed and the boys looking general healthy except the sad faces which can be easily explained as guilt by the prosecution! What would your reactions be if you were to read this in the newspapers? You would most likely lead those who would stone and burn them, if possible! That is an example among several of the work that we do in the prison. The prison consists of those who have been convicted and those who are awaiting trial. There was a fellow that was remanded for over 7 years at Agodi Prisons for an offence whose maximum sentence was 7 months. There was a girl falsely accused of stealing at Offa, Kwara State and her mother was also arrested at a farm at Ile-Ife, Osun State! They were both detained in prison custody for several months on the order of a judicial officer at Oke-Kura prison, Ilorin! Does any, some or all of these true stories make you see the need to reconsider your attitude towards prison inmates? How many do you think would have been killed out of miscarriage of justice? How many are languishing in jails for offences they were innocent of? This is a summary of the work we do at the prisons. We don’t donate torn and worn-out clothes, or, simply visit during religious festivals. We assist inmates while in incarceration to acquire needed social, economic skills and re-integration into the society after incarceration. Using the 4Rs strategy – Reformation, Reconciliation, Rehabilitation and Resource Sourcing - we implement Behavioural Change programs, thus fighting crime and reducing recidivism. We aim to get inmates transformed and return to society as changed individuals who go on to inspire, to father and mother, to teach, to grow and be the people they are all capable of being, unrestrained or threatened by imprisonment. I will be celebrating my birthday in a few days and many would genuinely wish me a Happy Birthday. I want to plead with you that what would make me really happy is if you can assist in being able to achieve the objectives of being able to help both those who are innocent, those who are guilty and the prison officers in charge of both! I am pleading that if you are touched by the plight of these fellow human beings, kindly donate to assist us to help them. This is not a private account and every kobo/cent that is donated will be fully accounted for. Please, wish me, if you are willing and able, a happy birthday and prosperous years ahead with your donations. Thank you! Account Name: Steps to Life Nigeria Account No: 1010322184 Zenith Bank
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 07:27:25 +0000
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