TARGETS/ACHIEVEMENT

During the period under review, the Ministry of Justice achieved a lot viz a viz its statutory functions of her responsibility for the prosecution of criminal cases, such as armed robbery, murder, man slaughter, stealing, secret cult activities, kidnapping and other criminal matters in the law courts of the land. Similarly the Ministry also handles civil suits in the Supreme Courts, Appeal Courts, High Courts and Magistrate Courts. Such cases handled include those on breach of contracts, land cases, termination of appointment or dismissal of public officers. The responsibility of the Ministry of Justice as the Chief Legal Adviser of the State also come to the fore in the period under review. In this respect, the drafting and preparation of our laws, agreements and other legal instruments were achieved. It is also note-worthy to mention that the Ministry provided advisory legal services to Government and its agencies. In addition, it is the Secretariat for the Advisory Council and Prerogative of Mercy (ACPM), which, advices Government on petitions and cases for pardon, remission of sentences, e.g for prisons inmates.

SEMINAR:

On Tuesday, 16th March, 2010, the Ministry of Justice under the initiative of the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana, with the approval of the State Government organized a seminar through the Departrnent of Citizens Rights (DCR) for the physically challenged persons in our society. The theme of the seminar was "REMEDYING INFRACTIONS ON THE RIGHTS OF THE PHYSICAL Y CHALLENGED: A MATTER fOR COLLECTIVE OBLIGATION”

The Citizens Rights department was established in October, /November, 2008: As its name implies, the Citizens Rights Centre is a Department in the Ministry where the rights of citizens as enshrined in: the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 are promoted, protected against abuses and enforced when they are breached whether by the police or other security agencies, government department, groups or even by persons whether natural or juristic. The Centre's objectives include but not limited to the following: Receipt of complaints from the public on human rights violations or abuses; investigation of such complaints to determine the veracity: offering legal advice on such complaints, provide help line for those whose human rights have been abused, legal representation for indigent suspects in prison custody and settling of disputes between parties through any of the Alternative' Dispute Resolution (ADR) means. The services rendered by the Citizens Rights Department are FREE OF CHARGE.

In terms of achievement the Citizens Rights Centre of the Ministry of Justice have received complaints bothering on Employment termination, Government Demolition of Structures/properties arising from Governments Developments projects; trespass to land, landlords/tenants relationship, human rights violation especially by the Police etc.

The Administrator-General and Public Trustee Department of the Ministry of Justice is responsible for the administration of the Estate of deceased persons in Edo State. It also caters for various categories of beneficiaries such as wards/widows of deceased persons.

The Administration and Supplies Department consists of two divisions namely (i) Administration (personnel) (ii) Supplies. The department during the period in retrospect made remarkable progress. The present administration of Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole graciously approved the renovation of the building housing the Ministry of Justice.

The building which was in pitiable condition at the inception of this administration, is now wearing a new look as a result of the massive renovation, work carried out under the supervision of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Osagie Obayuwana.

Apart from the renovation work that was done, the Comrade Governor Oshiomhole graciously approved the purchase' and installation of Office Equipment i.e. furniture, air conditioners, fans, computerization of the Ministry, renovation and enlargement of the law Library Complex as well as stocking of law books for use of State Counsels in the Ministry.

In the area of Staff Welfare, the Ministry of Justice processed promotion of ,qualified members of Staff in the Senior and Junior categories, and with the approval of the Civil Service commission some officers have been promoted to their next ranks. Seminars, workshop, conferences have also been organized locally, outside the State and internationally for improvement/staff productivity in the Ministry. Worthy of note is Government approval for sponsorship of all the State counsels to the Nigeria 3ar Association conference held in Lagos in 2009.

In the area of Manpower needs, the Ministry has benefited from the ongoing policy of the State Government to lift embargo on employment of personnel into the Edo State Civil Service. As a result of this, people oriented programme, the Ministry has gained with the employment and postings of fifteen (15) Senior State Counsels to various legal departments in the Ministry. Similarly, the Inter-rcadre/Inter-service transfer of State Counsels to the Ministry is also worthy of note.