Stop Blaming Courts For Setting Suspects Free On Bails, Says Plateau CJ

THE Chief Judge of Plateau State, Mr. Justice Pius Damulak, has cautioned Counsels in criminal cases in the state to step up investigations and stop blaming the courts for setting suspects free on bail.

Damulak gave the warning yesterday when the heads of courts and superior Judges hosted the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Jonathan Mawiyau.

The reaction of the CJ came in the wake of statements credited to some organisations in the state, which had cried out to the attorney general, while on courtesy calls on them to impress on the state judiciary to reduce “easy release of criminal suspects during trials on flimsy excuses.”

Damulak, however, noted that it is not enough for criminal suspects to be arrested and arraigned in courts, adding that those who effect the arrest should make sure that proper investigation of such matters is done and sufficient evidence is gathered to aid diligent prosecution.

He added that no court would be that careless to release criminals back into society after arrest, insisting that Judges are properly guided by constitutional provisions in such situations.

He drew the attention of the commissioner to conditions under which Judges in the state operate, with particular reference to lack of official vehicles, good accommodation and accumulated arrears of allowances, in addition to decayed court structures. Responding, Mawiyau noted that government was aware of the enumerated challenges and would address them shortly.

Mawiyau was also in the office of the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Felix Gbaboye, who assured him of the willingness of his agency to collaborate with the ministry in the overall interest of the state.

While in the office of the state Comptroller of Immigration, Mawiyau charged the officers not to relent in ridding the country of illegal immigrants, who overtime, had contributed to the security challenges facing the country.