Delta Assembly passes two bills on criminal, civil justice

Two separate Executive bills, the Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Delta State Administration of Civil Justice (Amendment) Bill, 2024 have been read for the third time and passed on the floor of the Delta State House of Assembly.

Both bills which were forwarded to the State Legislature by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on May 8, 2024, and listed for first reading the next day, received accelerated legislative action at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.

The Governor forwarded the bills alongside nine others to the State House of Assembly for the House processing.

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House Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi who moved separate motions for the third reading of the bills and their subsequent approvals, also led debates on the second readings of both bills.

Nwaobi said the amendments sought in the bills became necessary in order to strengthen the smooth operations of the principal laws.

According to the Majority Leader, amendments sought in both bills are to extend the transition period of the proposed new law from the existing 12 months to 24 months.

Nwaobi stated that the amendment would help facilitate and enable adequate time for setting up the necessary machinery for full implementation of the law.

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Others who spoke in favour of both bills were the members representing Isoko South 2, Hon. Ferguson Onwo, Sapele, Hon. Perkins Umukoro, Ika North East, Hon. Marylyn Okowa-Daramola, Patani, Hon. Emmanuel Sinibe, Oshimili South, Hon. Bridget Anyafulu as well as Okpe, Hon. James Augoye.

Relevant sections of the Standing Order of the House were suspended to pave the way for accelerated legislation on the bills as directed by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Dennis Guwor.

The lawmakers took the third reading of the bills and passed, following separate motions to that effect by the House Leader, Emeka Nwaobi.

Commending the Lawmakers for the passage of both bills, Guwor noted that the amendment sought would provide adequate time for the setting up of necessary machinery for the smooth and full implementation of the Law.

He said, “By virtue of this Bill, the 12 (twelve) months transition period relating to Case Management originally provided in Sections 48(1), 64(1) and 65(3) has been extended to 24 (twenty-four) months to enable adequate time for the setting up of necessary machinery for the smooth and full implementation of the Law”.