Nasarawa takes steps to decongest prisons

Nasarawa State Ministry of Justice says it is enhancing quick administration of justice as part of proactive steps to decongest prisons in the state.
Dr Abubakar Kana, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said this when the state House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary, Ethics and Privileges paid oversight function to the ministry on Wednesday in Lafia.
Kana, who was represented by the state Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ishaku Usman, commended Governor Tanko Al-Makura for the construction of the state judiciary complex in Lafia.
He said: “We are doing our best to improve on the welfare on our staff and in ensuring quick administration of justice in the state.
“We have also taken proactive steps to decongest prisons in the state.
“We appreciate you for the visit and for your continued partnership with the ministry for the progress and development of the judiciary in the state.”
Kana assured the members of the committee of the ministry continued commitment to initiate good policies and programmes that had direct bearing on the lives of the people of the state.
He called on the people of the state to continue to be law abiding, respect constituted authorities and desist from negative acts in the interest of peace and development.
The commissioner identified shortage of counsels and lack of power supply as some of the challenges confronting the ministry.
According to him, the ministry depends on generator for source of energy for its operations.
Earlier, Abubakar Imam, the Chairman of the committee, said that the visit was to assess the budget performance of the ministry with the view of addressing challenges facing the ministry.
He assured the ministry of the readiness of the committee to address the challenges to enhance the performance of the ministry.