The Oyo State Government has admonished Justices of the Peace (JPs) to refrain from interfering in criminal cases.

The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abiodun Aikomo, gave the admonition in Ibadan on Thursday during a two-day screening of applicants for the honorary JP title.

The exercise witnessed about 300 applicants.

Mr Aikomo urged the intending JPs to remain fair and impartial in handling minor disputes within their communities, but not to interfere in cases beyond their jurisdiction.

According to the commissioner, the JP role is vital to strengthening grassroots justice by mediating minor disputes, promoting peace, and serving as moral guides in communities.

Emphasising integrity, impartiality, and confidentiality as their expected core values, he stressed that the JP title was not for prestige but a call to serve with honour, fairness, and responsibility.

He charged them neither to take sides in disputes nor exploit their positions for personal gain.

Rather, he urged them to promote peace and order in their communities, mediate minor civil disputes, and support legal processes by witnessing affidavits and other legal documents.

He noted that the exercise reflected the government’s commitment to deepening access to justice at the grassroots and ensuring fairness in the resolution of minor disputes. 

(NAN)