Delta State has yet again led in the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, among the 36 states in the country.
Speaking to journalists during the official handover of the award in Asaba, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole (SAN), dedicated the award to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and officers in the ministry who had worked assiduously to maintain the state’s unassailable lead.
While commending the governor for his support, Ohwovoriole said the ministry’s efforts were geared toward implementing the agenda of the Oborevwori’s administration.
He said the state was adjudged the best in the country, due to reforms in offering legal advice on criminal matters, among others.
“In Delta State, we don’t spend more than six days on the average to render proper legal advice in criminal matters.
“What we are trying to do in Delta State, is to ensure that if you commit a crime, you will have to face your trial, and at the same time, we ensure that innocent persons are not unduly put through the rigors of trial.
“We have also digitalised the office of the director of public prosecution, this will enable us keep accurate records of all criminal cases and convictions.
“The biometric record keeping of all criminal trial records, will act as a deterrent in dealing with first and serial offenders,” the commissioner said.
Ohwovoriole said the state was implementing virtual hearings in the correctional centres, to prevent high costs and risks of moving suspects to court.
“By creating a court room inside the correctional centres, and allowing our judges conduct the proceedings from the headquarters in Asaba, will save us from so much costs and speed of the case.
“We have the approval of the governor to implement this at Ogwashi-Uku and Okere Correctional Centres, and we will be going live any moment from now.
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“Another major achievement is ensuring that all our laws in Delta State are hosted online, through our website to ensure that anybody can have access to them by paying a token,” he added.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC) in Delta State, Mr. Patrick Osisioma, said the state emerged winner in the national technical review and evaluation conference on the implementation of the Administration of the Criminal Justice Act, held in Abuja.
He said a certificate of excellence signed by the President, Centre for Social-Legal Studies (CSLS), Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, was presented to the state as the overall winner for 2025, in addition to a plague, laptop and a work station.
Mr. Osisioma said Delta State won the award in 2021 and repeated the feat again in 2025, after polling 90.9 percent to defeat Rivers State with 85 percent, Nasarawa with 82 percent, Abia with 78.5 percent, Ekiti with 76 percent and Bayelsa with 67 percent.
