THE SIGNING OF THE PRACTICE DIRECTION

The chief Judge of the FCT, Hon. Justice I. U. Bello has signed into operation the Practice Direction on the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

The purpose of this Practice Direction is to carry into effect and ensure compliance with the Overriding Objective of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 as expressed in section 1(1) of that Act, particularly in:

  1. Ensuring efficiency and speed in the case management of criminal trials and dispensation of justice,
  2. Protecting the interests and fundamental human rights of the defendant, victim, witnesses and society; particularly the right to fair hearing, and
  3. Ensuring active participation of all parties to focus on matters that are genuinely in issue for trial thereby reducing delays and expense at trials.

The Practice Directions shall apply to all criminal trials in the Magistrates Courts, High Courts, Upper Area Courts and other courts that try criminal cases in the Federal Capital Territory.

In his remarks at the occasion which took place on the 25th day of April at the Ceremonial Court auditorium of the FCT High Court Headquarters Maitama, Hon. Justice I. U. Bello lauded the effort of the Hon. Justice H. Y. Baba led committee for the industry put in the actualization of this dream of the FCT High Court to be ahead in effective and efficient administration of justice.

At the occasion, the Chief Judge also received a donation of a complaint management template designed by J4A (DFID – “Justice for All” Project) for the FCT High Court. It provides information for court users on how to make complaints or feedbacks about the services of the court. The Hon. Chief Judge appreciated the gift and the donors for their thoughtfulness and partnership in effective justice delivery in the FCT.

Present at the occasion are the Attorney General of Bayelsa State and Prof. Yemi George, a member of the monitoring committee on the implementation of the Administration of Justice Act 2015, including the Judges and Magistrates of the FCT Judiciary.

The participants at the occasion were unanimous in their views that it was yet another giant and historic stride in the FCT Judiciary.