Refrain from cases outside your jurisdiction, Oyo CJ tells magistrates

The Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Munta Abimbola has warned magistrates to refrain from taking any case outside their jurisdiction.

Justice Abimbola stated this during his visit to Abolongo Custodial Centre Oyo town.

The chief judge noted that magistrates taking charge of cases outside their power would unnecessarily prolong the stay of the suspects in custody, which would amount to an infringement on their rights.

He told the magistrate to strike out any case that was not taken to the right court or not diligently prosecuted within forty two days.

Justice Abimbola reminded the magistrates of the provisions of administration of criminal justice law that suspects should not be kept unnecessarily without due prosecution.

Radio Nigeria judiciary correspondent, who is on the entourage of the Chief Judge reports that the CJ frowned at the situation in which many cases that were supposed to be in high courts were still awaiting trial at various magistrate courts. 

 Ten inmates at Abolongo Custodial Center had been released at the time filling this report. 

Some of the inmates were released on poor health grounds.

Sunday Ogunyemi