The House of Representatives has urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to review cases where individuals had been held in pre-trial detention for an extended period and take necessary steps to expedite their trials. It also urged the Judiciary to adopt innovative case management strategies to ensure timely hearings.

This followed the adoption of a motion moved by AHMED SANI MUHAMMAD at plenary in Abuja.

Moving the motion, Muhammad noted that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and the International Human Rights Standard underscored the fundamental right to a fair and speedy trial.

The House, however, in its resolutions, mandated the committee on judiciary, human right and Prison service to investigate the causes of pretrial delays, propose necessary reform and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.