Press Release
The Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Peter Mrakpor reads riot act to Legal Officers in the Ministry, says anyone that compromises the process by subverting the State Government efforts in providing a just, dependable, reliable and fast justice delivery system would be prosecuted and sent to jail.
The Attorney-General read the act when he appeared on SMART, a 30 minute DBS programme anchored by Mercy Memuifo and monitored by our correspondence Tuesday.
Loading ...Barr. Peter Mrakpor who was very emphatic on his resolved to infuse a new lease of life in the operations of the Ministry, spoke on a wide range of topical issues bordering on Justice administration and the SMART agenda of the Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration. He reminded legal officers of their onerous responsibilities to the Government and people of the State and enjoined them to be driven by the fear of God while discharging their duties as according to him, the SMART agenda has its foundation in the Ministry of Justice.
The Justice Commissioner also spoke of his commitment to overhaul and sanitized the operations of the Ministry by stamping out all forms of corrupt practices and bottlenecks that hampers justice delivery and maintained that anyone who tries to influence legal opinion in their favour or truncate Government efforts would also be liable for prosecution.
On the rising cases of rape and domestic violence against women, the Attorney General said the Ministry has set up a Special Unit in the Department of Public Prosecution as a Special Prosecution Line to fast track the prosecution of offenders. He reiterated the Ministry’s resolve to prosecute all rapists in accordance with the relevant sections of law and charged parents and guardians to always interact with their children and ensure that they give their wards safety and security tips as a means of protecting them from predators who are mostly insiders.
While calling on victims and their relatives to report all cases to the Police for investigation, the Justice Commissioner charged them to always resist all forms of entreaties made to them by family members, community leaders, clergymen, friends and relatives of both parties to settle such grievous offences either at the Police Station or out of court. He handed down a stern warning that the Ministry will arrest and prosecute all those that interfere and get themselves involved in such unholy alliance and disclosed that the Ministry will explore the possibilities of a collaborative effort with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Women Society and the Ministry of Education to address the challenge.
When asked about the Multi-door Court House system already adopted by the State in resolving disputes, the Attorney-General described it as legal, simple, straightforward and trustworthy and the best way for amicable resolution of disagreements. While encouraging litigants and Lawyers to approach the Court for amicable settlement of their disputes, Barr Peter disclosed that awards given by the Court stands and cannot be upturn by a High Court of Law, just as he disclosed that the model when fully utilized, leads to less litigations in court and enhance the peace building efforts of Government.
On the appointment of Local Government Transition Caretaker Committees, the Justice Commissioner opined that such appointments was an aberration and an assault to the Constitution of the Federal Republic, describing it as foreign and alien to our political and legal system.
On the affirmation of the electoral victory of the Governor, Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa by the Delta State Election Petition Tribunal which upheld his election and dismissed the petitions of the Labour Party and that of the APC, the Attorney-General hailed the verdict and commended the Legal team of the PDP for doing an excellent job. He said the petitions of the Governorship candidates of the Labour Party and his counterpart at the APC failed abinitio as they were unable to substantiate their claims.
–
Ivovi Aruoriwo
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Justice
