Why Rape Cases Are Delayed – Niger CJ The Chief Judge of Niger State, Justice Fati Abubakar has said that the delay in convicting suspects of rape cases was due to encumbrances of undergoing medical tests and obtaining medical reports immediately the act was committed. She also said that frequent transfer of Investigating Police officers (IPOs) as well as Police Prosecutors hampers administration of criminal justice especially rape cases in the state. Justice Abubakar who spoke, yesterday, in Minna at a two day capacity building workshop for 250 prosecutors and investigators in the state, lamented that when the officers were transferred there were tendencies that the cases already in court might be disrupted. The Chief Judge who was represented by Justice Musa Abdul said that the transfers created logistic problems when new people inherit the case files. “Constant transfers of IPOs from one jurisdiction to another are greatly affecting administration of criminal justice in this state. They often cause logistic problems as IPOs who are transferred mid-way of cases are not often available when such cases are mentioned. We often have problem in getting them (IPOs) to appear for such cases,” the Chief Judge said. She admitted that the Police have the right to transfer its officers and men, but lamented that in the process it turns against smooth criminal justice administration. She advised that victims of rape cases should ensure that tests were carried out immediately and medical reports obtained and said that loss of time could affect administration of justice. Justice Abubakar therefore commended the Niger state Police command for organising the capacity building workshop for the IPOs which she added would greatly enhance administration of justice and restoration of human rights. Speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner of Police, Mrs Desire Desiye Nisirim said that the workshop was part of the command’s desire to provide a platform for continuous legal education for her personnel and to improve their knowledge of laws and current legal practices in the administration of criminal justice.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Aug 2013 20:36:28 +0000
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