The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has thoroughly domesticated the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) by states across Nigeria.
According to the AGF, this move will play a pivotal role in ending the practice of criminals escaping justice by fleeing from one state to another, a strategy known as forum shopping.
Speaking at a three-day Technical National Working Group session in Abuja to review and validate the National Minimum Standard Document for the implementation of ACJA 2015, Fagbemi highlighted how adopting the Act uniformly by all states will ensure that offenders are held accountable, regardless of where they commit their crimes.
He maintained that forum shopping, where offenders seek refuge in other states to avoid prosecution, would be effectively curtailed.
Fagbemi noted that the ACJA 2015 was enacted to promote the efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speed up the dispensation of justice, and safeguard the rights and interests of suspects, defendants, and victims in Nigeria.
The AGF explained that the Federal Government had introduced the Act to harmonise the implementation of criminal justice reforms across the federation, ensuring uniformity in the procedures followed by law enforcement agencies and the judiciary.
“The adoption of the Act by states ensures that offenders cannot move from state to state with a view to escaping justice, a practice commonly known as forum shopping,” Fagbemi reiterated during his speech.
The AGF also called for greater use of technology in the administration of justice, stating that the incorporation of technological tools into criminal justice systems is essential for efficient processes and reforms. He urged stakeholders in the justice sector to embrace digital advancements in handling cases and criminal procedures to improve the overall justice delivery system.
In addressing the ongoing challenge of prison overcrowding, Fagbemi pointed to the necessity of ACJA’s provisions for alternatives to incarceration, especially for minor offenses. He also underlined the importance of addressing the delays in trials that contribute to the congestion of correctional centers.
The session also focused on the National Minimum Standards Document, which aims to facilitate the implementation of ACJA across both federal and state levels. The document will serve as a guideline for courts and criminal justice agencies, ensuring consistency in the enforcement of criminal justice reforms.
The AGF announced the inauguration of the National Working Group on Criminal Justice Reform, comprising individuals and institutions from federal and state governments, civil society organisations, lawyers, and other stakeholders. The group is tasked with ensuring that the National Minimum Standards for the implementation of ACJA receive broad input, recommendations, and acceptance from all involved parties.
“I charge the members to work very hard to ensure the terms of reference of their engagement are actualized, particularly to address pertinent issues militating against the harmonized implementation of the ACJA,” Fagbemi remarked during the session.
He also commended the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies, led by Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, SAN, for its contribution to the development of the National Minimum Standards and called for cooperation among all participants to achieve the desired improvements in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The successful implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and the state-level versions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws (ACJLs) is expected to drastically reduce the challenges of interstate criminal activities and ensure more consistent justice across the country.
For further analysis and updates on the ongoing efforts to reform Nigeria’s criminal justice system, visit Legal Linkz, where experts provide detailed commentary on legal matters impacting the nation.
