Mr Uche Okafor, Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly has enjoined the state judiciary to ensure inmates did not stay behind bars for more than 150 days before trial as stipulated by the law.
Okafor, (APGA), representing Ayamelum state constituency, made the call on Sunday in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka .
Okafor urged the state judiciary to work toward decongesting the prisons and also to the other public office holders in the state to ensure quality service delivery to the people in their various fields of service.
He noted that appointments to public offices was a testament of credibility and a call to serve the people and not for personal enrichment.
According to him, the call became more urgent as the people looked up to such public officers living up to their recommendations while noting that Gov. Willie Obiano’s appointees were recently confirmed by the legislature.
“The call became necessary following a letter from Gov. Willie Obiano requesting for the confirmation of two key appointees sent to the legislature.
“The legislature has confirmed the appointment of Justice Ijem Onwuamaegbu as the first female Chief Judge of Anambra, and Mr Alexander Onwuli as the Auditor-General of Anambra having satisfied the requirements of the law.
“The nomination of the duo is based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council and Anambra Civil Service Commission respectively,” he said.
He urged the appointees not to betray the confidence reposed in them by the law makers and their people.
The speaker noted that the state would hold the officers accountable if they failed in their duties.
He urged Onwuamaegbu to ensure she repositioned the judiciary in the state and ensure that administration of Criminal Justice Law was applied correctly so that inmates do not stay behind bars more than 150 days stipulated by law before trial.
He also enjoined the auditor-general to enhance the services and transparency of the state auditors to the benefit of all in the state.
Okafor said that the 7th assembly would do its best to ensure that credible persons were confirmed for sensitive public offices with the view to delivering democratic dividends to the people.
He advised Anambra residents to always live by the extant laws of the state and assured of the legislators’ desire to render quality representation in their various constituencies .(NAN)
