BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Benin City, Nigeria – Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) has donated a standard Statement Taking Room (STR) to Edo State Police Command.
ROLAC in synergy with the British Council and European Union built, equipped and donated the Statement Taking Room.
The body also trained 50 personnel of the Command’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), to man the facility.
During the handover ceremony at the State Police Command headquarters in Benin City, on Wednesday,
Edo State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Joe Itsebaga Acha; Anthony-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe and the Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro commended ROLAC for its kind gesture.
The Chief Judge and Attorney-General of Edo State represented by Hon. Justice Mary Itsueli, and Mr. Orobosa Okunbor, respectively, urged the police to make judicious use of the equipment.
“Edo State judiciary as I have always said is always ready to partner with you, and all critical players in the justice sector to bring to fruition our collective dreams of a world class justice delivery system that we can be proud,” the CJ noted.
ROLAC team leader, Barr. Uche Nwokedi stated that the STR has also been provided in Lagos, Adamawa and some states in Nigeria.
Barr. Uche explained that the objective of ROLAC was to enhance good governance, strengthen rule of law and curb corruption.
The ROLAC team boss emphasized that the Statement Taking Room STR was provided to ensure that Edo Police Command interviews its suspects in line with international best practices.
Barr. Uche however stressed that when the STR which takes audio and video records of statement, is adequately deployed, the unnecessary length of trial would be reduced, as it will also minimize the lost and change of suspects’ statement while in custody or court.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, administration, Dant Matawale who represented CP Abutu Yaro said that the state commissioner of police takes the judicial system very dear to heart, assuring that the STR would be judiciously used.
He appealed to ROLAC to replicate the STR in all divisions across Edo State.
Highpoint of the event was the cutting of tape by the Deputy Commissioner of Police flanked by the representatives of Edo State CJ, AG, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Ms. Patrina Olumese, and the secretary of justice sector reform team, Mr. Imonitie Omokhodion.
