The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has blamed the prolonged trials and prison congestion in the country on poor investigative processes, lack of thorough case preparation and delays in prosecution.
Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the police and other sister agencies to complete their investigations before filing charges to prevent the striking out of cases due to lack of evidence.
The CJN called for enhanced coordination among the police, the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary to ensure seamless prosecution of cases.
A statement by her Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Media, Tobi Soniyi, said Justice Kekere-Ekun spoke in Abuja when she hosted Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and his team.
The CJN expressed concern over non-compliance with court orders by some law enforcement agencies, saying such attitude weakens the integrity of the justice system.
She said the rule of law requires strict adherence to judicial decisions, adding that any act of disobedience undermines public trust in law enforcement and the judiciary.
Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the IGP to issue clear directives to police officers to ensure that they respect court judgments and orders and implement same without delay.
The CJN expressed concerns over threats to judges, court officials, and litigants, especially in high-profile or politically sensitive cases.
She sought Egbetokun’s support to ensure the security of judicial officers as well as prevent anyone from intimidating or harassing them.
Justice Kekere-Ekun called for enhanced police presence at court premises, particularly in areas prone to violence or unrest.
The CJN also expressed concern over increasing cases of unlawful arrests, prolonged detentions and extra-judicial actions.
She stressed the need for compliance with constitutional safeguards, including the right to legal representation, the right to be informed of charges, and the right to be promptly brought before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the police and other security agencies to protect the rights of vulnerable groups, including women, children, and persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The CJN emphasised the need for enhanced compliance with the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 which, among others, prohibits arrests in lieu of culprits, inhumane treatment of suspects and provides for mandatory electronic recording of confessional statements.
She stressed that under Section 7 of the ACJA, it is illegal for the police to arrest family members or associates in place of a suspect.
Justice Kekere-Ekun urged the police to enforce internal disciplinary measures to ensure that its personnel do not engage in unlawful practices.
The CJN also urged the IGP to put in place mechanisms for monitoring and preventing police brutality, as well as ensuring that officers who violate these provisions are held accountable.
She reiterated the constitutional and legal obligations to treat suspects with dignity and ensure compliance with Section 8(1) of the ACJA, which prohibits torture, inhuman or degrading treatments.
