Tunji Adedeji
Concerned over the raging controversy generated by Sections 484 and 484 of Imo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law ACJL No. 2 of 2020, Barr Willie Amadi ,Federal Commissioner /Ombudsman Public Complaints Commission has said the claims by some members of the state House of Assembly that the controversial sections of the law were ‘smuggled’ in by the executive is false.
The Federal Commissioner who stated this while fielding questions from newsmen in Owerri explained that nothing was smuggled into the law as claimed by some lawmakers , saying his office has diligently investigated the processes that led to the enactment of the law and its benefits to the society, as well as the controversial section.
Amadi who gave recommendation on way forward, noted that it is disappointing to note that some of the members could deny their actions.
The Former ENTRACO boss said after conducting investigation, spoke to several lawmakers in Imo State, some members of the Committee that worked on the law together with the House Committee on Judiciary and also independent sources, his commission findings shows that there is nothing wrong with the law. It was made to protect weak and underage.
He called on the members of the Imo State House of Assembly to urgently clear the inherent ambiguity contained in the law, insisting that by so doing public confidence will be restored.
The Ombudsman who also clear the governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma of any form of blame, said even though its not time to trade blames but Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice as the Chief law officer of the State, ought to have guided the Governor before his assent”.
He however said the ACJL is a beautiful and revolutionary piece of legislation which is intended to ensure that the system of administration of Criminal Justice in Imo state promotes efficient management of Criminal Justice institution, speedy dispensation of Justice, protection of the society from crime and protection of the rights and interest of the suspect, the defendant and the victim.
According to Information at our disposal, sections 484 and 485 of the ACJL No. 20 of 2020 which was passed into law on March 11, 2020 by Governor Hope Uzodinma abrogated a sweeping powers to the state Governor to arrest and detain anybody he so deemed fit.
Barr. Amadi also blames the sponsor of the Bill, Hon. Frank Ugboma, member representing Oguta state constituency for his shortsights in following up a bill he sponsored when it returns to committee of the whole House.
He said “the Commission also noted that the Bill presented for the first reading by Hon. Frank Ugboma did not contain the provisions of Section 484 and 485 and his Bill stopped at section 372 but the Bill presented at the Committee of the general House with the Committee report of the Judiciary Committee had 540 sections, including the controversial sections”
In his submission, the Public Complaints Commission boss called on the members of the State Assembly to act legislatively by bringing appropriate amendment to clear the inherent ambiguity complained of, by the general public saying, by doing so, public confidence will be restored.
The Ombudsman boss directs that critical stakeholders as well as interest groups should have copies of the ACJL to know the extent their fundamental rights have been protected, since according to him, the law has several novel provisions not known to the public.
