“Delta To Introduce Biometric Criminal Database For Persons Charged With Offences” — AG Ohwovoriole Says System Will Boost Security

The Delta State Government is strengthening its justice and investment framework with the development of a comprehensive biometric criminal database and new legal protections for private investment in electricity infrastructure, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, has disclosed.
Ohwovoriole said the reforms were designed to improve public safety, strengthen transparency and make the state more attractive to investors by providing reliable mechanisms for tracking criminal records and protecting individuals and organisations that invest in critical infrastructure.
He spoke in Asaba while receiving the First Vice President-Elect of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Oghenero Okoro, who visited to appreciate the Attorney-General for his support and cooperation as the official leader of the Bar in Delta State during the recently concluded NBA national elections.
The visit also provided an opportunity for Ohwovoriole to present Okoro with his certificate of return as NBA First Vice President-Elect.
Speaking on ongoing justice-sector reforms, the Attorney-General said the state’s criminal database was nearing completion and would capture the biometric information of every person charged with a criminal offence in Delta State.
According to him, the system is intended to create a permanent and reliable record of persons who pass through the criminal justice process, thereby assisting law enforcement agencies, employers, investors and other stakeholders in carrying out appropriate background checks.
He said no criminal charge would be processed in the state without first obtaining the biometric details of the suspect.
Ohwovoriole explained that the records would remain in the database irrespective of whether the person was eventually convicted, providing a permanent record of the individual’s involvement in criminal proceedings.
“The system will enable employers, investors and other stakeholders to verify whether an individual has a history of criminal involvement before engaging in employment or business transactions,” he said.
The Attorney-General said the initiative was modelled on criminal-record systems operating in other jurisdictions, including Lagos State, and would further strengthen the ability of relevant authorities to identify repeat offenders and maintain accurate criminal justice records.
He maintained that the initiative would contribute to making Delta safer while also giving investors greater confidence in the state’s security and justice infrastructure.
Ohwovoriole also disclosed that the state government had enacted legislation aimed at encouraging private participation in electricity infrastructure and other critical sectors.
Under the new legal framework, he said individuals and organisations that purchase and install electricity infrastructure, including transformers, would retain ownership rights over such equipment to the extent provided by the law.
He added that investors who provide such infrastructure would also be entitled to reimbursement by the relevant electricity distribution company in accordance with the provisions of the legislation.
According to him, the measure is intended to address situations in which individuals, communities and businesses invest substantial resources in electricity infrastructure without adequate legal protection or a clear framework for recovering their investment.
Ohwovoriole said the reforms were part of the state government’s broader effort to create an enabling environment for private investment while strengthening critical infrastructure and improving security.
He expressed confidence that the combination of a reliable criminal database and stronger legal safeguards for infrastructure investment would enhance transparency, improve public safety and further position Delta State as a secure destination for businesses and investors.
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