authorities of the Respondent State exercised due diligence in handling processes involving the Applicants. 114. The Respondent State does not provide justification for the time and instead, generically submits that the Applicants’ case was heard within a reasonable time. 115. With regard to due diligence, the Court notes that pursuant to Section 32(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), an accused must be brought before a court as soon as practicable when the offence is punishable by death.52 Further, Section 244, as read together with Section 245 of the CPA, provides that committal proceedings should be held as soon as practicable.53 Finally, Section 248(1) of the CPA provides that proceedings may be adjourned, from time to time by warrant, and the accused person be remanded for a reasonable time, not exceeding fifteen (15) days at any one time.54 Section 32(2) – Where any person has been taken into custody without a warrant for an offence punishable with death, he shall be brought before a court as soon as practicable. 53 Section 244 – Whenever any charge has been brought against any person of an offence not triable by a subordinate court or as to which the court is advised by the Director of Public Prosecutions in writing or otherwise that it is not suitable to be disposed of upon summary trial, committal proceedings shall be held according to the provisions hereinafter contained by a subordinate court of competent jurisdiction. Section 245(1) – After a person is arrested or upon the completion of investigations and the arrest of any person in respect of the commission of an offence triable by the High Court, the person arrested shall be brought within the period prescribed under section 32 of this Act before a subordinate court of competent jurisdiction within whose local limits the arrest was made, together with the charge upon which it is proposed to prosecute him, for him to be dealt with according to law, subject to this Act. 54 Section 248(1) – Where for any reasonable cause, to be recorded in the proceedings, the court considers it necessary or advisable to adjourn the proceedings it may, from time to time by warrant, remand the accused person for a reasonable time, not exceeding fifteen days at any one time, to a prison or any other place of security. Section 248(2) – Where the remand is for not more than three days, the court may, by word of mouth, order the officer or person in whose custody the accused person is, or any other fit officer or person, to continue to keep the accused person in his custody and to bring him up at the time appointed for the commencement or continuance of the inquiry. 52 34