The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, and critical stakeholders in the justice sector have taken collective steps to foster uniformity in implementing the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.
At a stakeholders meeting, a committee comprising stakeholders in the judicial sector was inaugurated to review and validate the national minimum standards documents on implementing the Act.
Specifically, the highlight of the event that the Federal Ministry of Justice organised with support from the Rule of Law and Anti-corruption (ROLAC) programme was the adoption of the National Minimum Standards Document 2024 on the implementation of the ACT, 2015.
According to speakers at the event, introducing the National Minimum Standards will boost the effective implementation of the ACJA, 2015.
Other support groups for the 3-day programme include the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
International IDEA implements the Phase II Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, funded by the European Union.
The RoLAC II Programme aimed, among other things, to enhance the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery in Nigeria.
According to speakers, the National Minimum Standards Document (NMS) aims to create a national scheme for assessing and evaluating the implementation of the ACJA/ACJLs and a national scoresheet that will indicate each state’s performance and score.
The purpose is to provide an everyday basis for evaluating the performance of implementing criminal justice reform and for criminal justice institutions nationwide, promote healthy competition among states, and advocate for and attract more resources to the criminal justice sector.
The document covered pre-trial case management, witness support, case filtering and timelines, bail, remand protocol, trial case management, and post-trial.
While participants encouraged the use of plea bargains, they agreed that a stay of trial proceedings on account of an interlocutory application or appeal is prohibited.
The National Minimum Standards for the Implementation of ACJA 2015 were also designed to consolidate the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms, a key component of the programme to enhance the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery across the Federal Capital Territory of Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, Lagos, and Plateau states.
During his presentation on the opening day of the event, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George of the Center for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) harped on the need to deepen the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJA) and the ACJLS of States, among others.
In a keynote address, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, said the Technical National Working Group Session Review and Validation of the National Minimum Standard Document for the implementation of ACJA, 2015 represented a significant milestone in the country’s quest to reform the criminal justice sector and improve the administration of criminal justice and strengthen measures that ensure access to justice.
Represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jessy-Agba, the minister noted that the federal government enacted the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in 2015 to ensure the harmonious implementation of criminal justice reforms across the federation.
According to him, the Act is expected to promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, protection of society from crimes, and protection of the rights and interests of the suspect, the defendant, and the victims in Nigeria.
“The adoption of the Act by States also ensures that offenders cannot move from state to state to escape justice, a term commonly known as Forum Shopping. Thus, with the improved and uniform implementation of criminal justice reforms across the country, there will be no escape route for criminals, which will, in turn, contribute to Nigeria’s socio-economic development.
“The National Minimum Standards have been developed as a tool to implement the ACJA and consolidate collaboration between stakeholders in justice delivery by ensuring that Courts, both at the federal and state level, apply similar standards in implementing criminal procedures and enforcing criminal justice. To this end, the National Working Group on implementing criminal justice reform was set up.
“The National Working Group, which comprises individuals and institutions of federal and state governments, including Government Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, Lawyers and other stakeholders, was set up to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between stakeholders across the federation. Setting up the National Working Group aims to ensure that the National Minimum Standards for Implementation of ACJA receives input, recommendations and wide acceptance from stakeholders across the board.”
Chairman Bodies of States Attorneys-General, Dr Ben Odoh, who Nasarawa AG, Labaran Shaibu Magaji, represented, described the new move as significant, capable of creating a balanced, inclusive justice system that will not only safeguard the rights of all parties but will also strengthen legal frameworks.
