Plea bargain necessary for speedy dispensation of justice – Fashola

Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State on Monday backed the concept of plea bargain in the nation’s justice system, saying it has helped in the speedy conclusion of cases.
Fashola said this at a special service marking the commencement of the 2013/2014 Legal Year of the state’s judiciary.
The governor, who was represented by Ade Ipaye, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, said plea bargain, which should be sustained, had helped to decongest the prisons.
He said: “The Nigerian judicial system relies on witnesses rather than forensic evidence, a development which makes it difficult to discard the plea bargain concept if cases are to be concluded on time.”
Fashola urged judges and lawyers to work together to avoid what he called unnecessary delays in the discharge of their responsibilities.
He noted that the introduction of the new high court procedure rules and the computerisation of the state’s judicial processes were all geared towards achieving an efficient justice system.
Delivering a lecture at the event, Prof. Tajudeen Gbadamosi urged judges to be fair in the discharge of their duties.
Gbadamosi, who is the National Education Secretary, Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria, advised them not to allow selfish interests to interfere in the dispensation of justice.
Earlier at a church service, the Most Revd Adedayo Akinde, the Archbishop of Lagos Province, Anglican Communion, urged judges to shun corruption.
Akinde, in a sermon entitled: “Fairness and Justice”, reminded the judges of their obligations as “ministers in the temple of justice.”
He said: “I emphasise this point: please do not give or accept bribes in the course of performing your duties this legal year.
“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twist the words of the righteous.”
The cleric urged them to be fair and fearless at all times in the discharge of their duties.
Some lawyers, including Yinka Farounbi and Olabisi Ogungbesan, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria, called for more cooperation between the bench and the bar.
They said this would help to oil the wheel of justice in the country.