CSLS asks National Assembly to pass ACJA amendment bill quickly

The Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS) on Tuesday asked for a quick passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act Amendment Bill.

The President of CSLS, Yemi Akinseye-George, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), made this request during the closing ceremony of the centre’s summit on improving the country’s criminal justice system through the National Minimum Standards (NMS) project.

Mr Akinseye-George said CSLS helped create and pass the Act in 2015. The centre worked with the Federal Ministry of Justice and other groups to finish the final draft of the ACJA Amendment Bill.

“It is now an Executive Bill, sponsored by the President through the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation,” said Mr Akinseye-George, who is also a professor of law.

Mr Akinseye-George explained that CSLS has pushed for changes to the Act in recent years. These changes address problems found in the law after many years of use. He urged the National Assembly to give the ACJA Amendment Bill “speedy and thorough consideration.”

He also called on “states and institutions to keep applying the National Minimum Standards,” and promised support for “evidence-based reform in the sector.”

The ACJA 2015 controls criminal cases in federal courts and deals with federal offences. Most states have since adapted versions of the law in their areas.

But Mr Akinseye said the Act needs changes, which is part of the NMS project.

The NMS project was carried out under the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, funded by the European Union and supported by International IDEA.

The project aims to close the gap between what Nigeria’s criminal justice laws promise and what really happens.

It also seeks to ensure that the provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) are properly implemented in federal courts and in the criminal justice laws of various states.

According to Mr Akinseye-George, the NMS “gives the ACJA and related laws a clear, measurable yardstick for the police, courts, prosecutors, legal aid providers and correctional services.”

The NMS is a document made so that no state would fall behind in carrying out the ACJA, and to ensure uniformity across all states.

Some NMS project focuses on pre-trial issues. These include dealing with interlocutory proceedings, use of remands, confessional statements, front loading, case management and plea-bargaining.

The CSLS carried out the project in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and seven states, Lagos, Kano, Edo, Anambra, Abia, Plateau, and Adamawa.

Through the project, the CSLS trained judges, magistrates, lawyers, police, and civil society members.

It also trained over 700 rangers and involved 1,700 relevant stakeholders. In April, the centre held a training for 100 rangers. This training prepared the rangers to support the reform of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Rangers are volunteers who promote the proper implementation of the ACJA.

The centre also visited courts, correctional centres, ministries of justice, police commands, the Legal Aid Council, and the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committees (ACJMCs). These visits helped identify gaps reflected in the Bill. Also, 1000 copies of the NMS documents were produced.

Mr Akinseye-George thanked the European Union for its funding. He also praised International IDEA, the Federal Ministry of Justice, other criminal justice institutions, and the media for their partnership and support.