AKHA: CRIMINAL JUSTICE BILL PASSES SECOND READING

HON. (BARR.) DENNIS OF ETINAN STATE CONSTITUENCY

A Bill captioned “Administration of Criminal Justice Bill 2016” sponsored by the member representing Etinan State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Aniefiok Dennis,has passed second reading.

The bill sponsored by the member representing Etinan State Constituency Hon. (Barr) Aniefiok Dennis Akpan and Co-Sponsored by twelve (12) other lawmakers namely:
Rt. Hon. Felicia Bassey
Rt. Hon. Udo Keirian Akpan
Rt. Hon. Elder Aniekan Nyong Uko
Hon. (Barr) Ime Okon
Hon. Effiong Okon Bassey
Hon. Usoro Akpanusoh
Rt. Hon. Idongesit Ntekpere
Rt. Hon. Friday Iwok
Rt. Hon. Nse Ntuen
Hon. Idongesit Ituen
Hon. Uduak Odudoh
Hon. (Engr) Otobong Ndem

Leading the debate, Barr. Dennis informed the House that there are ambitious and formidable provisions in the bill to ensure speedy dispensation of justice, efficient management of criminal justice institutions, protect the society of crime, and protect the rights and interests of suspects, defendants and victims or complainants accordingly.

Presenting the Bill, Hon. (Barr) Dennis emphasized that the said law which has already been passed by the National Assembly as “Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015", if not domesticated will not benefit Akwa Ibom People directly.

He reasoned that various sections of the Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2016 if passed into law will protect members of the society from unlawful arrest and detention of citizens by security agencies.

The bill which condemns the arrest of persons in lieu of suspects, arrests in terms of civil matter and also seeks to eradicate the gender discrimination in bail issues enjoyed wholesome patronage of representatives of various state constituencies on the floor of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

The Honorable Speaker of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly Rt. Hon. (Barr) Onofiok Luke thereafter referred the bill to the house committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Public petition for consideration and directed the committee to report back to the house in two (2) weeks.