Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, have called for delisting of Correctional Service Centres from the Exclusive list to the Concurrent list .
The two leaders of the National Assembly also called for unbundling of the Nigeria Police Force during their separate presentations.
At a one-day roundtable on ‘Reform of the Criminal Justice System of Nigeria’, organised by the Professor Abubakar Suleiman-led National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) at the Senate wing of the National Assembly on Wednesday.
Gbajabiamila in his remarks, read by a member of the House of Representatives, Uzuwagbo Ugonna, said: “The scope of the Nigeria Criminal Justice System beginning with the Police, the Courts, the Correctional Service our criminal laws and codes, including human personnel that manage our criminal justice institutions need reforms.
“As legislators, we will not be opposed to amending the Constitution to remove the establishment and management of Correctional Service Centres from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List.
“This, I believe, will fast tract and decongest our Federal Correctional Centres and enable willing States provide better Correctional Service Centres with better living conditions for their people.”
Gbajabiamila who also spoke on autonomy for State Judiciary, said the autonomy being advocated by our judicial officers across the nation should be granted without delay, to encourage justice without favour. We should consider the creation of special criminal courts.”
Lawan who was represented by Solomon Olamilekan on his part, said: “No society grows without a productive criminal justice system, considering the additional role the sector plays in maintaining order and in fostering peace.
“With rising insecurity, we must be ready to strengthen the justice system and be bold enough to ensure that criminals go through diligent prosecution. This is to serve as a deterrence to others, reduce wrongdoings, promote peace and enhance growth and development.”
Direction-General of NILDS, Professor Suleiman, in his remarks, called for the separation of the Ministry of Justice from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
He said this will allow for easy prosecution of corruption and restore public confidence in the administration of justice.
