From Ibrahim Kaulahi, Gusau
Zamfara State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has trained the Divisional and Area Commandants across the state to be more knowledgeable on the new laws been gazetted by the present administration of Governor Dauda Lawal.
The new laws included banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling which were not captured in the old penal code of the state.
Speaking, the resource person, who is the Director Public Prosecution of the State Ministry of Justice, barrister Abdul Ahmad, informed the participants on the importance of verifying criminal cases to the logical conclusion before prosecution.
Barrister Ahmad further disclosed that, there were Administrative Criminal Justice Act and the Penal code which need to be prudently verified so as to know which case would be entertained by which court.
He explained that, the training programme is to familiarize with the NSCDC personnel with Zamfara newly gazetted penal code law 2022 and the administration of criminal justice law 2022 which replaced former penal code laws of all northern Nigeria and penal procedure courts.
“The newly gazetted laws are very clear on issues surrounding committing banditry, kidnapping and or cattle rustling, it also figured out the stand of those captured in paying their contributions in that aspect, be it informant to the criminals and or assisting them at whatever capacity would face death penalty”, barrister Ahmad explained.
In his remarks, the NSCDC boss, Commandant Sani Mustapha, directed the personnel to be very attentive and ensure utilization of what they have learnt from the legal expert concerning prosecution of suspects before the competent courts of law.
Commandant Mustapha also commended Governor Dauda Lawal for making the new laws gazetted as it is now crystal clear that, the new offences are captured alongside their penalties on the defaulters.