Symbol of justice

A senior judge says most inmates in the country have been detained for long without proper trial.

As part of a strategic plan for 2013, the Directorate of Public Prosecution Attorney in the Ministry of Justice is visiting the different states to inspect the conditions of prisons and police custodies.

Sabri Wani Ladu, who works in the Ministry of Justice, says most of the cases are delayed because of limited number of high court judges in the states.

“Most of the appeals submitted by the inmates to the higher authorities in the Judiciary and the court of appeal are not responded to because there is no adequate number of the justices of the court of appeal in Greater Bahr El-Ghazal State and also in other states,” he added.

Mr. Wani also said the rate of murder and rape cases are on the rise in South Sudan:

“There is also increase in crimes of murder and rape in other states and this needs public awareness to be conducted by either the Ministry of Justice or other institutions that are working in the field of rule of law.”

Mr. Sabri Wani called on the judiciary to look into appeals submitted by many inmates in various prisons.

The visit by the Public Prosecution Attorney covered Eastern Equatoria, Western Bahr El-Ghazal, Northern Bahr El-Ghazal and Warrap States.