Anambra Correctional Service, Justice Ministry Strengthen Partnership to Fast-Track Court Processes

|By Chinelo Okeke

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Anambra State Command, has sought deeper collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Justice to address challenges affecting the decongestion of correctional centres and improve the administration of criminal justice in the state.

The Controller of Corrections, Anambra State Command, Mrs. Ezinne Emele Onuoha, led a delegation of senior officers on a courtesy visit to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, at the Ministry of Justice headquarters in Awka.

The meeting focused on key operational challenges affecting the effective management of correctional facilities, particularly issues relating to inadequate manpower, logistics constraints, and transportation difficulties associated with conveying inmates to courts for trial proceedings.

Speaking during the meeting, the Chairman of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC), Hon. Justice A.O. Okuma, underscored the need for stronger institutional collaboration between the Judiciary and the Nigerian Correctional Service to facilitate speedy trials and ensure the regular production of inmates before courts.

Participants at the meeting deliberated on practical measures to improve communication and coordination between courts and correctional centres across the state.

As part of resolutions reached, it was agreed that inmates would be produced in court upon the service of duly signed production warrants issued by competent courts.

The stakeholders also approved the establishment of a dedicated WhatsApp platform to facilitate the transmission of scanned production warrants pending formal service, with a view to reducing delays and improving operational efficiency.

According to the resolutions, the dedicated WhatsApp contact for the transmission of scanned production warrants will be communicated to all courts within Anambra State to ensure timely service, coordination, and compliance with court directives.

It was further agreed that only duly signed production warrants issued by courts of competent jurisdiction would be transmitted through the platform for official action by the relevant correctional centres.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, commended stakeholders for their commitment to strengthening the criminal justice system and assured them of the state government's continued support towards improving correctional services and enhancing the administration of justice in Anambra State.

He emphasized the importance of collaboration among justice sector institutions in addressing systemic challenges and ensuring more efficient case management across the state.

Also present at the meeting were the Director of the Anambra State Multi-Door Courthouse, His Worship Mike Anyadiegwu; His Honour Chineze Obianyo; and other stakeholders within the justice sector.

The engagement forms part of ongoing efforts by the state government and justice sector institutions to strengthen criminal justice administration, reduce congestion in correctional facilities, and improve access to justice in Anambra State.

Tags: #AnambraState #CorrectionalService #JusticeSector #CourtDecongestion #MinistryOfJustice #CriminalJustice #Awka #NCoS