2019: We have set up c’ttee to check vote buying – Gov Lalong

Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State on Monday said his government has set up committee to monitor and deal with the issues of vote buying ahead of the 2019 polls.

Lalong said the unfortunate and ugly trend of politicians’ new ways of inducing electorates to sell their votes will not be allowed to hold sway in the coming general election.

The Governor stated this at the 2018 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association, Jos Branch, saying that the act must be dealt with if the country must have free and fair elections.

He said in other to speed up the trial of criminal suspects and proscribe stiffer punishment for them, his government has also signed relevant bills into law to aid their prosecution, adding that it also became imperative so as to create the necessary environment to attract investments.

“I have also signed into law the Multi-Door Court House Bill 2017 to advance the practice of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the state. This was a deliberate step taken by us as part of the administration’s effort to create the necessary environment to attract investments and enable businesses thrive on the plateau.

Upon the Multi-Door Court House taking off, it is our vision to make Jos a regional hub for ADR practice and the settlement of investment disputes.

“Our renewed zeal and zest in addressing the needed reforms in the Justice Sector made us to take the bull by the horns in an attempt to deeply entrench the Criminal Justice Administration.

Accordingly, I have signed The Domestication of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2018 and the Plateau State Penal Code (amended Penal Code of Northern Nigeria, 2018).

These new procedural framework guarantees the speedy trial of suspects within the state jurisdiction with stiffer sentences to serve as deterrent if found guilty”, he said.

The Governor said his administration will remain committed and focused on the course of supporting the judiciary, which to us is key to achieving the socio-political and economic development of the new Plateau State of their dreams,

adding that though the resources invested in the judiciary are enormous, the gains as far as the future of the people is concerned, are uppermost on their minds.

Lalong explained that Lawyers are social engineers and are burdened with the task of agenda-setting and giving direction to government for the common public good.

Hence, he said, there is no better time than now for Lawyers to prove its mettle as the nation prepares to go into the general elections.