The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, on Tuesday, expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to the development of the criminal justice system of the country to be responsive to the demands of Nigerians.
Fagbemi, who disclosed this in Abuja while addressing the opening ceremony of a three-day National Stakeholders’ Forum on the review of the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015 and the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws of states said, the effectiveness and functionality of the criminal justice system and the entire justice sector, has direct effect on the overall development, stability and sustainability of the society.
He said, the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law by all the 36 states of the Federation has provided a common ground to address the critical issues and challenges confronting the criminal justice system of the country adding that, it also provides a shared platform that would enable, “us scale up our efforts and seek practical solutions to identified problems”.
The AGF said, so much has happened since the passage of ACJA in 2015 and that, one of which is the development of the National Policy on Justice, developed in 2017 through a collaborative platform, which identified some of the root causes of the failures and inadequacies in the entire justice system of the country, and sought ways to consolidate on various reform efforts across justice sector institutions.
He said his ministry is making plans with relevant stakeholders to convene a National Summit on Justice to consider and adopt a revised National Policy on Justice, 2024 – 2028.
Fagbemi called on stakeholders in various States of the Federation, Civil Society Organisations and international development partners to be committed to the effective implementation of all policies, programmes and laws that will lead to a dynamic and efficient criminal justice administration system.
In his address, the President of the Center for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), Prof. Akinseye George (SAN) said his organization shared the optimism of the AGF to bequeath to the country, a robust system of Justice delivery founded on the rule of law, transparency and accountability and to create an inclusive system which inspires public confidence, engenders justice, peace and security while ensuring that no one is left behind.
He said the ACJA and the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws are not only instruments that protect the rights of persons who come in contact with the justice system, they also seek to ensure that all are treated fairly adding also that, the instruments also lay down standards for justice providers on what is expected of them in the discharge of their duties.
The key provisions in the instruments, according to Akinseye include the abolition of lay prosecution at the federal level, prohibition of unlawful arrests prevalent at the pre-trial stage, introduction of arrest protocols and timelines for carrying out specific functions by the implementing institutions.
Other remarkable provisions, he said are, remand protocols, electronic recording of statements/confessions of suspects, establishment of a central criminal record registry at the Force Headquarters, clear-out guidelines for plea bargaining, non-custodial sentencing, amongst others.
Represented at the occasion by a Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Steven Adah, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem said the purpose of ACJA, 2015 is to ensure that the system of administration of criminal justice in Nigeria promotes efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of Justice, protection of rights and interests of suspect, the defendant and the victim.
She said the law must be adhered to and human rights observed from the stage of investigation, arrest, prosecution, conviction and incarceration of a person and added that the innovations in the ACJA 2015 will keep the wheel of criminal justice system moving steadily without delay and suppression of the rights of defendants.
Justice Dongban-Mensem stressed the need for proper enlightenment on the salient provisions of ACJA and that traditional rulers, religious and youth leaders should be involved to broaden the scope of the enlightenment on the provisions of the Act at the grassroots.
The Appeal Court President said, with firm monitoring by the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee, to ensure strict compliance by taking disciplinary measures against any erring official, there will be great advancement in the system.
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