The Oyo State House of Assembly has called for the establishment of Special Criminal Divisions within the Oyo State High Court to facilitate the speedy hearing and determination of criminal cases, particularly offences involving kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, murder, rape, cultism and other serious crimes.
The resolution followed a Motion titled “Need for the Establishment of Special Criminal Divisions within the Oyo State High Court for Speedy Trial of Criminal Cases and Strengthening of the Administration of Criminal Justice,” moved by Hon. Dawood Olalere, representing Ibadan North-West Constituency, during Tuesday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.
The House noted that effective administration of criminal justice was fundamental to maintaining law and order, protecting lives and property, preserving public confidence in the judiciary and ensuring the rule of law.
It stressed that timely adjudication was essential to ensuring that justice was not only done but seen to be done.
The lawmakers expressed concern over the increasing incidents of kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, cultism, murder, rape, cybercrime and other violent offences in Oyo State.
They noted that organised criminal activities and violent attacks in parts of northern Oyo further underscored the need for a stronger and more responsive criminal justice system.
According to the House, despite the commitment and diligence of judicial officers, the fact that High Courts currently handle both civil and criminal matters has contributed to congested dockets, frequent adjournments and prolonged criminal trials, thereby delaying justice for victims, defendants and the wider society.
The Assembly observed that while the Oyo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law was designed to promote speedy and efficient criminal proceedings, the increasing volume and complexity of criminal litigation required specialised judicial structures, dedicated judges, improved case management systems and focused attention on criminal matters.
The lawmakers argued that swift prosecution and determination of criminal cases would deter criminal activities, reinforce public confidence in the justice system and discourage impunity.
They stressed that perpetrators of kidnapping, banditry and other heinous crimes must face the full weight of the law without undue delay, warning that prolonged proceedings could embolden criminal elements and undermine public confidence.
The House also noted that delays in prosecuting serious criminal cases could discourage victims and witnesses from cooperating with law enforcement agencies and undermine the efforts of security personnel who risk their lives to apprehend suspected offenders.
The Assembly therefore urged the Chief Judge of Oyo State and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to take necessary steps towards establishing Special Criminal Divisions within the Oyo State High Court for the exclusive and speedy hearing and determination of serious criminal cases.
It called on the executive arm of government to provide adequate financial, technological and administrative support, including digital case management systems, electronic recording facilities and sufficient judicial personnel.
The House further urged the Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Judiciary, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigerian Correctional Service, Nigerian Bar Association and other relevant stakeholders, to develop a coordinated framework for accelerated prosecution of criminal cases and strict compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.
It also called for adequate funding of witness protection programmes, victim support services and free legal aid for indigent defendants, noting that such measures would encourage cooperation with the justice system while safeguarding the constitutional right to fair trial.
The lawmakers urged the Chief Judge to designate specific High Court judges and courtrooms as dedicated Criminal Divisions across the judicial divisions of the state and introduce modern case-management procedures to ensure expeditious hearing and determination of criminal cases.
Similarly, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice was urged to establish and adequately staff a specialised unit within the existing Directorate of Public Prosecutions for the Special Criminal Divisions and ensure regular training of prosecutors on the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.
The Assembly also called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and other security agencies to expedite investigations and ensure prompt transmission of case files to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to eliminate avoidable delays in prosecution.
The Nigerian Correctional Service, Oyo State Command, was urged to provide regular nominal rolls of awaiting-trial inmates to the Judiciary and Ministry of Justice and facilitate virtual or remote court proceedings where appropriate to enable the speedy arraignment and trial of inmates.
The House mandated its Committee on Public Petitions, Justice and Judiciary to interface with the Ministry of Justice and the Judiciary on the implementation of the initiative and report progress to the Assembly.
