The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, along with key legal stakeholders, including Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Adam Oaigwe (SAN), and Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, convened in Abuja on September 24, 2024, for the inauguration of the National Working Committee on National Minimum Standards for the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The three-day event, organized by the Federal Ministry of Justice in partnership with the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme, is aimed at enhancing the enforcement of the ACJA across Nigeria. The initiative will review and validate national minimum standards for the act’s effective implementation.
Badejogbin Oluwatoyin, Project Manager for Criminal Justice Reform under the RoLAC II Programme, emphasized the importance of the event. He stated that the summit would help develop strategies to raise public awareness of the ACJA and ensure the translation and dissemination of key legal documents into local languages.
Key outcomes expected from the event include the adoption of national minimum standards for the ACJA’s implementation and the creation of a comprehensive plan for improving public understanding of criminal justice laws across Nigeria.
The RoLAC II Programme, funded by the European Union, is committed to advancing the rule of law and anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria, focusing on criminal justice reform in key states such as Lagos, Kano, Edo, and Anambra. While the ACJA has made significant progress since its enactment in 2015, the new initiative seeks to address existing gaps and standardize its application nationwide.
The Administration of Criminal Justice Act represents a milestone in modernizing Nigeria’s legal system, and this event marks a significant step toward its more consistent and effective implementation across the country.
