By Abdullahi Jalalludeen
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN has Commended Kano State for its progressive approach to administering criminal justice.
Falana disclosed this during a presentation at a capacity Building Workshop for Prosecutors on the Effective of Administration of Criminal Justice organized by Kurawa Hussein And Associates in Collaboration with the Ministry of Justice Kano,held at Bristol Hotel Kano.
Falana Lauded Kano State for adopting the FIDRA Administration of Criminal Justice Act in 2019 and becoming the first state to abolish prosecution of criminal cases by lay police officers.
He emphasized the need for prosecutors to be equipped with modern gadgets and effective training to enhance their performance.
Falana also stressed the importance of improving the conditions of service for prosecutors to enable them to focus on their assignments.
The Human Right lawyer highlighted the challenges faced by the poor in accessing justice, citing economic conditions and the need for government intervention.
Falana suggested that the office of the public defender should be empowered to assist the poor, with a presence in every local government area.
“This would enable the poor to access justice and have lawyers assigned to their cases. He cited the example of the Legal Aid Council, which has offices in all 36 states of the federation.”
Falana also emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of suspects and promoting confidence in the justice system.
He noted that suspects have the right to demand legal representation and that the police must contact the Legal Aid Council to provide a lawyer. He encouraged the mass media to play a role in public enlightenment, educating people about their rights under the law.
Femi Falana SAN called on the mass media to engage in public enlightenment to let people know their rights under the law.
Barrister Sadiq Sabo Kurawa the convener of the 3 Day capacity building training said the objectives of the training was to build the capacity of lawyers and prosecutors aimed at enhancing the administration of criminal justice in the society.
He said learned members of the Bar participated in the training dished out practical experiences which will go along way in ensuring that effective administration of criminal Justice was being achieved .
Barrister Sadiq Sabo Kurawa added that at the end of the 3 Day capacity building training prosecutors would be more equipped in ensuring criminal Justice administration is being used effectively.
Among the Learned Senior Lawyers that build the capacity of the participants Includes Professor Auwal Yadudu, Dr A.B Mahmoud ,Femi Falana SAN,among others.
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