The Anambra Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Anali Chude, has called for an immediate revision of the laws of the state.
Chude told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Monday that the laws of the state were reviewed last 26 years ago.
“Anambra State Laws were last revised around 1991. We need to bring the laws up-to-date.
“At the end of the revision, we are able to cite our laws as Anambra State Laws, 2016 or 2017 as the case may be, rather than as Anambra State Laws, 1991.
“If we achieve that, the legal community in the state will be happy.
“This will raise the integrity of the judicial process and help to improve the internally-generated revenue of the state through sale of the revised laws.’’
Chude said that the ministry had requested government to fund the computerisation of the ministry to expedite cases in courts.
“Currently, it takes an average of three weeks to a month to ensure comprehensive preparation of case files, though, the extant law allows up to 90 days.
“But with computerisation, we can achieve just a week within which to be ready for prosecution of any matter.
“We have nonetheless, made a case to government, hoping that as soon as funding improves, we can have priority in this regard.’’
According to him, these are aimed at prompt dispensation of justice and by extension helping to improve access to courts.
“This will invariably, encourage the rule of law, which is an essential ingredient in promoting harmony in the state.
“As you improve unfettered access to justice, you are helping to improve lives and living as well as the promotion of obedience to the laws,’’ he said. (NAN)
EAN/MNA/SN