By Bernedette Nwakile:
As the Nation grapple under the yoke of insecurity, stakeholders in the justice delivery system have brainstormed on the best ways to assist the state and the country in fighting the problems posed by different dimensions of the menace.
This was the crux of the discussion at the 2022 annual Dinner/Award Conferment themed, “Insecurity in Nigeria: The role of Law Officers”, held in Awka on July 15, which was organized by the Law Officers Association of Nigeria (LOAN).
Declaring the event open, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Anambra State, Prof. Sylvia Ifemeje said that the discussion came at a better time when the condition of the country was becoming more overwhelming, explaining that nobody was safe anymore.
“Women are raped, people are murdered in their homes and farms, travellers are kidnapped and killed or their families forced to pay ransom, Churches are burnt and worshippers gruesomely murdered.”
She, however, commended the state government for its fight to restore the state to a peaceful and economically buoyant city in the watch of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo and urged the Law Officers not to compromise their positions in the discharge of their duties.
“Our dear state, Anambra has been passing through turbulent times; thanks to the intervention of Mr. Governor, Prof. Soludo, who is determined to create smart megacity homeland in which security of lives, properties and businesses is guaranteed.
“Security of lives and properties is a priority for this administration; Mr. Governor has been giving maximum support to the security agencies in the fight against criminality.
“We have witnessed the arrest of kidnappers, the destruction of their dens across the state and ultimately their prosecutions which is where the Law Officers in the Ministry of Justice come in.
“We must make sure we use our energies and expertise in the conscientious prosecution of these cases. Law Officers must be abreast of all relevant Laws and be diligent in prosecuting all the security related crimes; we must not be swayed by monetary gains.
“Therefore, we need not over emphasize that Law Officers now, more than ever before, are saddled with enormous responsibility of assisting the Anambra State Government and the Police in fighting insecurity in the state.
“By so doing, you must live up to expectations and refuse to be compromised in any form or manner.’’
The Chairman of the occasion and the Admininstrative Judge, Ogidi Judicial Division, Justice Peter Obiora while describing the occasion said, “Bar Dinner is a time we honour and cherish tradition of our most noble and honourable profession.
“It gives an opportunity for the exchange of ideas and knowledge on legal and contemporary issues facing us as Law Officers and as Nigerians.’’
On the theme of the Dinner, Justice Obiora said, “when you talk about insecurity, you indirectly call to question the efficacy and effectiveness of our system of law enforcement and prosecution.
“It is the primary duty of Law Officers to prosecute criminals. How effective and efficient you are in carrying out this arduous and serious task will have a bearing on the safety and security of the society.’’
He enjoined the Law Officers to be diligent in the discharge of their duties, pleading with the government to help in improving the welfare of the workers.
The Chairman of LOAN, Anambra State Chapter, Barr. Larry Nwangwu decried the level of insecurity in the state and the country, saying it has forced the organization to host the event in the afternoon which normally would have hold in the night.
“It is in the light of the growing insecurity and agitations that we have assembled some of the best brains in the Justice delivery sector with experience, intellect and passion for a safe Anambra State to interrogate these challenges and proffer achievable workable solutions.’’
The handing of Meritorious Award to four persons, Hon. Nnoruka Udechukwu, Dr. Anali Chude, Dr. Uju Nwogu and an Industrialist, Dr. Daniel Chukwudozie formed the highpoint of the event.
Bernedette Nwakile writes from Awka.
