By Chinelo Okeke
Justice Peter Obiorah of the Court of Appeal has described judges as “ministers in the temple of justice,” urging them to uphold the highest standards of integrity, morality and fairness in the discharge of their duties.
Justice Obiorah made the remark on June 18 during a workshop on plea bargaining held at Finotel Classique Hotel, Awka, organized for judges and sponsored by the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, focused on strengthening the administration of criminal justice in Anambra State.
Speaking as the facilitator, Justice Obiorah stressed that judges must not only interpret the law but also embody the moral principles that underpin justice.
According to him, the growing emphasis on plea bargaining requires judges to have a thorough understanding of its provisions under the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) and their role in ensuring its effective implementation.
He explained that plea bargaining is a form of consent judgment reached through mutual agreement between the prosecution and the defendant, usually involving a guilty plea to a lesser charge in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Justice Obiorah noted that offences recognized under the law are generally eligible for plea bargaining, urging judges not to become obstacles to justice. Instead, calling on them to demonstrate responsibility, transparency, discipline and probity in the performance of their duties.
The workshop featured sessions on plea bargaining, sentencing guidelines, compensation and restitution, practice directions and their application, as well as remand proceedings.
In his vote of thanks, the Anambra State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Tobechukwu Nweke, SAN, commended Justice Obiorah for sharing his wealth of knowledge and experience with participants.
Nweke urged stakeholders in the justice sector to ensure that defendants are adequately informed of their right to plea bargaining, noting that prosecutors should provide relevant plea bargain forms when serving charges or information on defendants to enhance awareness and accessibility.
The Attorney General expressed appreciation to the RoLAC team, particularly Mrs. Josephine Onah, for supporting the workshop and contributing to its success.
He assured participants that the knowledge gained from the training would be translated into practical reforms capable of making Anambra a model for other states in the implementation of plea bargaining and criminal justice administration.
Nweke disclosed that the Ministry of Justice is considering measures to improve access to plea bargaining information, including the development of a digital platform that would enable defendants and members of the public to access relevant information through the ministry’s website and mobile devices.
According to him, leveraging technology will help deepen public understanding of plea bargaining and strengthen access to justice across Anambra State.
Chinelo Okeke is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
