By Mimi Chiadikaobi
Some Anambra stakeholders have commended Gov.Charles Soludo’s security initiative, and advised him on speedy dispensation of justice in the state.
The stakeholders advocated the need for quick and equitable criminal justice dispensation in Anambra to boost trust and confidence of the masses on the state government..
The stakeholders made the call at a one-day Town Hall Meeting on Human Rights, Police Accountability and Justice Administration in Anambra in Awka on Wednesday.
The event was organised by Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre in collaboration with the Anambra State Police Stakeholders Partnership Forum (PSPF)
In her speech, Amb. Uche Ajulu-Okeke, a Diplomat and Development Studies Expert called for stricter punishment as a way of de-escalating insecurity in the country.
She urged Gov. Charles Soludo to employ more magistrates and legal personnel and establish mobile courts in crime prone areas across the council areas of the state the aim to increase access to justice for the people.
Ajulu-Okeke advised that effective Police complaint mechanisms be put in place to ensure that law enforcement agencies served and protected communities with integrity and respect for human rights.
“This will build trust, camaraderie, promote collaborative problem solving and contain police excesses.
“No society can exist peaceably without emplacement of a stable sanctions, punishment and reward system,” she said.
Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Anambra said the Homeland Security Law enacted by Soludo was a holistic legal framework meant to combat the menace of insecurity and social vices.
Ifemeje said that the law which had become a template for other South East states was not discriminatory but to protect the culture and tradition of the people from abuse.
Dr Law Mefor, the state commissioner for Information, said Anambra had witnessed one full month of no criminal attack or repel since the launch of Agunechemba security outfit and was determined to sustain it indefinitely.
Mefor said that the arrested native doctors were still being investigated with preliminary findings that are alarming, adding that they would soon have their day in court.
In his welcome address, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of RULAAC said the Anambra PSPF which was formed in 2019 had provided a platform for ensuring that Police personnel were held accountable for violations of rights.
Nwanguma said the essence of Town Hall meeting was to foster a culture of respect for human rights, enhance accountability, and promote effective criminal justice delivery.
“This Town Hall Meeting is an invitation to each of you to engage in meaningful dialogue, to share your insights, and to collaborate on strategies that will further our collective goals,” he said.
The representatives of the Police, National Human Rights Commission, and the civil society made presentations at the town hall meeting.
Traditional Ruler of Nwafia,Igwe Daniel Obelle, commended the organiser of the meeting but suggested that traditional rulers should be made head of security leader in their community not as a patron which means less or nothing to handle any security challenge in their community.
Mrs Ngozi Mbachi added that there are reasons to checkmate the manner and conduct of the state security service to avoid abuse of office.
Earlier the Chairman of the meeting Prof Jaja Nwanegbo said that the target of the town meeting was to moderate activities that leads to conflicts amongst people and proffer a rich way out to enthrone peaceful coexistence among all citizens.
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