The Independent state level monitoring committee for the implementation of the administration of criminal justice Act, ACJA in Benue state has raised alarm over a pattern of prolonged detention without trials in some correctional centres of State it visted.
The Vice Chairperson of the Independent Administration of Criminal justice Law ACJL monitoring committee Awashima Addingi said some inmates were being held for minor offences far longer than the maximum sentence prescribed by the ACJL and also found that many inmates require not only legal assistance but also psychiatric and psychosocial support.
Sixty Two inmates including Twelve women both of whom are suffering from mental health, are held up in the Makurdi and Gboko correctional centres awaiting trials or lacking legal representation well over the 3 month time frame stipulated by the administration of criminal justice law domiciled in the State.
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Vice chairperson of the Independent state level administration of criminal justice Act monitoring committee in Makurdi, Benue State Awashima Addingi cites examples of inmates with offenses ranging from Six months to one year sentence, who are left in custody for more that two years, on the awaiting trial list.
Participants share their thoughts on how duty bearers could be held more accountable in implementing the law.
According to the law trials under the ACJL should be concluded within three months,sadly that is not the case within several facilities a trend these key stakeholders are trying to reverse
Editor: Roluke Ogundele
