The Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Taraba State Command, Adamu Salihu has paid a courtesy call on the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Taraba State Barrister Yakubu Maikasuwa at his office in the State Secretariat Jalingo. a statement from the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Iliya Samaila said.
The visit is to further strengthen collaboration between the NSCDC Taraba State Command and the state Ministry of Justice.
In his address, the Commandant NSCDC pointed out that the NSCDC is one of the security agencies charged with the responsibility of investigating and prosecuting offenders and because of that the NSCDC has had cause to interact with the Taraba State Ministry of Justice in ensuring that justice is served speedily in order to further entrench peace in the society.
Commandant Adamu also spoke on the efforts the NSCDC is making in decongesting the correctional facilities in the State.
“The NSCDC is empowered by its Act of 2007 to settle civil cases among willing members of the society and the Corps has taken full advantage of this privilege to settle civil matters and minor offences in the office without necessarily going to court. This year alone we have settled over 200 cases so far. This has contributed to the reduction in the number of litigations”.
The Commandant concluded by thanking the Taraba State Ministry of Justice for the high level of cooperation that the Corps enjoys anytime it calls on the Ministry for assistance.
Responding, the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Taraba State Barr. Maikasuwa thanked the Commandant for finding time to visit him.
He assured him of the full support and collaboration of the state Ministry of Justice.
“You have raised the issue of your concern and contributions to prison decongestion. I am pleased to inform you that here in the Ministry we also have the ADR Unit which helps to settle civil cases out of court using ADR. We are also exploring ways to use Alternative Mode of Punishment to further reduce the number of people being sent to prison for minor offences”.
Barrister Maikasuwa extolled the virtues and discipline of the personnel of NSCDC operating within the state and described the Corps as highly professional. He then urged the Corps to remain incorruptible.
The Commandant was accompanied on the visit by the Legal Officer of the Command Barr. (Dr.) Eneojo S. Onu and other senior officers of the Command.