WHY WE NEED CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM — FORUM

Participants at a one-day forum organised by the Justice Development and Peace Commission of the Ondo Diocese of the Catholic Church, on Thursday said a total reform of the criminal justice system in the country was necessary as a prelude to the reform of the nation's constitution currently being agitated.

Speakers at the forum, tagged 'Systemic Approach in Handling the challenges in the criminal justice system in Nigeria' included; a former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State, Prof. Yemi Osibajo SAN; a former Solicitor General in Lagos State, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey; and the Ondo State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN.

Arthur-Worrey, who delivered a lecture titled: 'The challenges facing criminal justice administration in Nigeria,' submitted that no meaningful reform would take place in the country if a comprehensive review of the existing criminal justice administration laws was not undertaken.

He said since the basis of any developmental activity in any country was legislation, proper legislation would aid rapid development.