By Mfonobong UKPONG
The Speaker, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Barr. Onofiok Luke, has stressed the need for law officers in the state government’s employ to acquire necessary training in some specialised areas in order for them to align with the emerging world.
Receiving a delegation from the Law Officers Association of Nigeria, LOAN, Akwa Ibom State chapter in his office today (Tuesday), Barr. Luke who commended the law officers for their diligent effort in the prosecution of matters assigned to them especially in drafting of executive bills, administration of Justice among others, said there was need for them to be exposed to some capacity training in specialised fields including, telecommunications law, sports law, aviation law, Maritime, Petroleum among others. Giving reasons for his advocacy, the Speaker explained with the focus of the current administration in attracting industrialization and investment to the State, one cannot rule out the possibility of disputes that would arise as a result of industrial and commercial activities in the state.
He used the opportunity to to charge all stakeholders involved in the administration of justice, including the security agencies, law officers and others to ensure that all effort are on deck to ensure there is diligent prosecution of all criminal cases by ensuring that appropriate sanctions are meted out to those found guilty of perpetrating crime in the state especially, kidnapping, armed robbery, and murder cases. Responding to their request, the Speaker promised to discuss the challenges they were facing in the course of discharging their duties with appropriate authority.
Earlier, the State Chairman, Law Officers Association of Nigeria, Ime Umofia (Esq) who thanked the Speaker for granting his members the audience, said law officers in the employ of Akwa Ibom State government were facing critical challenges in the course of discharging their assignment, and pleaded the Speaker’s intervention on the matter.
He listed some of the challenges bordering on their welfare, expressing the hope of a positive response by government.
Present during the courtesy call were, the Deputy Speaker, Princess Felicia Bassey, Hon. Idongesit Ituen, Hon. Aniefiok Dennis, Hon. Uduak Odudoh and Hon. Princess Mfon Ekong.