The Area Court beside General Hospital, Bwari, is notorious for high handedness, denies bail in bailable criminal offenses, laments lawyers who regularly appear before it. They also alleged that the Judge gets prompting from Bwari DPO not to grant bail to any suspect brought before his court.
On Monday 7th February, 2022 he refused to grant bail to all fresh matters brought before him. All suspects were sent to either Suleja or Kuje Correctional Center, to be remanded till the next adjourned date.
A lawyer we spoke to, said it is the Judge’s style not to give bench ruling, even if prosecutor did not oppose Defendant’s bail application. He must send the Defendant to Correctional Centre and grant him bail on the next adjourned date.
It is also alleged that contrary to ACJA, Police Officers are the ones prosecuting cases in this Area Court.
Worrisomely, NBA Bwari members, who regularly appear before this Court, are aware of these but quiet in the face of these gross injustice and abuse of the Administration of Criminal Justice. It is wildly reported in the judgment by Justice Bolaji Belgore of FCT High Court, that Area Courts, have no jurisdiction over criminal matters.
We urge the NBA Bwari, within whose Jurisdiction lies this Area Court, to investigate this corrupt practices by the “Judge” and other courts within Bwari Area Council.
