By Correspondent in Minna
The Governor of Niger state, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has advocated stiffer penalty against those feeding bandits with information, fuelling henious crimes and increased loss of lives and destruction of property in the state.
Speaking shortly after the swearing-in of the new Chief Judge of Niger state, Justice Aisha Bwari, at the council chamber, Government House,Minna, Bello said, “I strongly suggest stiffer penalties for those involved in kidnapping, armed banditry and their informants”.
Bello,who described those he noted were sabotaging the state government’s efforts and those of the people of Niger state, as more dangerous than the bandits,suggested that they (informants) be given same punishment as bandits and kidnappers, when caught.
He said“:It has come to our notice that most of the heinous crimes being committed are being executed through active connivance with members of the communities, in most cases they are the ones that inform or invite the bandits.:
“Without the informants, the bandits will not be able to carry out their nefarious activities, that is why I am seriously suggesting that the kidnappers, bandits and the informants should have the same punishment meted out to them.
“Without informants, activities of armed bandits will become extremely difficult and that is why in my opinion, the informants are more dangerous than the bandits because they have deprived a lot of people of their source of livelihood, their homes and at the same time cost them their lives.”
He, therefore, urged the Judiciary and Legislature to come up with stiffer penalties to stem criminal activities I the state, especially the informants, adding that it would serve as deterrent to others toeing the path of criminality.
“Time has come for us to have stiffer measures. I will meet with the State House of Assembly members and with a substantive Chief Judge of the state, we can evolve steps toward ensuring a way out of the of the problem.I hope the judiciary will execute whatever amendments needed to be made.”he added.
Responding, Bwari pledged preparedness to ensure speedy transformation in the state judicial system but urged that‘all hands must be on deck to ensure the actualisation of the speedy transformation of such system.
She also solicited the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, particularly the executive and the legislature, in the task ahead
The new Chief Judge promised that the judiciary under her supervision would work with other arms of government to make and execute laws for the collective good of Nigerlites.
