Benue State Governor, Fr. Alia, has described “Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation” as a game-changer in the State’s ability to combat violent crimes and deliver justice to victims.
The governor said this at the one-day seminar on Forensic Science and Criminal Investigation organised by the State Ministry of Justice and Public Order in partnership with the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria Programme (SPRiNG).
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Moses Atagher, Esq., the governor assured that his government will give maximum cooperation towards the success of the partnership.
In his welcome address, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Prof. Timothy Ornguga, said that forensic science and criminal prosecution would strengthen the fight against violent crimes such as rape, improve prosecutorial outcomes, and ensure greater sensitivity to the needs of victims.
Benue State has been chosen as a pilot state for the programme, and Prof. Ornguga is optimistic that desirable outcomes will be achieved.
According to 𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮 𝗧𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗮𝘀, 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗔𝗶𝗱𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵e commissioner, the seminar was held under the theme “Improving Access to Justice for Survivors and Victims: Best Practices in Forensic Evidence Collection, Preservation and DNA Analysis.”
The seminar, he said, drew participants from across the criminal justice sector in Benue State, including prosecutors from the ministry of justice, security agencies, lawyers from the private bar, and the judiciary.
He explained that the seminar focused on training participants in key aspects of evidence gathering and preservation, DNA analysis and victim management, to improve the prosecution of criminal cases and ensure Justice for victims of violent and gender based crimes.
