CP. Rashid B. Afegbua, PSC, MNIPS (2nd L), NCS Controller Aniekan Archibong Nya (3rd L) and others during the courtesy visit on Wednesday.
By Anietie Akpan
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) in Cross River State has sought to strengthen synergy and cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force emphasizing the need for increased adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) by the Police.
The Controller of Corrections, Cross River State Command, Controller Aniekan Archibong Nya, said this on Wednesday, January 21, when he and his team paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Rashid B. Afegbua at the Command Headquarters, Calabar.
During the visit, the Controller emphasized the need for increased adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) by the Police during investigations, where applicable, as a strategy to decongest correctional facilities across the State.
A release by the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Cross River State Police Command, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the visit was aimed at familiarizing the Controller with the Commissioner of Police, who had been newly posted as the Controller of Corrections in the State.
In his response, CP. Afegbua, expressed appreciation for the visit and described the relationship between the two agencies as cordial and mutually beneficial.
He assured the Controller of the Command’s continued collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service to enhance the administration of criminal justice.
On the issue of decongesting correctional facilities, the Commissioner of Police reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force has always been an advocate of Alternative Dispute Resolution, depending on the nature of cases, in line with extant laws.
He further noted that the Chief Judge of Cross River State, Justice Akon Bassey Ikpeme, has consistently visited correctional facilities as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the delivery of justice and decongestion.
The release said, both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to sustain cooperation in the interest of justice, public safety, and effective criminal justice administration in Cross River.
