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Nigeria Attorney-General Backs Review of Criminal Justice Law for Faster, Fairer Trials
Nigeria Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, said the government is committed to making the nation’s criminal justice system faster, fairer, and more effective through a review of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Fagbemi made the statement in Abuja during a stakeholders’ meeting on the future of the justice system. He said the ACJA has been a vital law in guiding how criminal trials are conducted in Nigeria, but it now needs reforms to address new challenges and speed up justice delivery.
The ACJA was first passed in 2015 to unify criminal procedures and reduce delays in trials. It introduced measures to protect human rights, prevent abuse by law enforcement, and improve transparency. However, after 10 years, many lawyers and judges say the law must be updated to reflect changes in crime, technology, and the expectations of society.
Fagbemi said the government’s goal is to reduce the long delays that have made justice slow for many Nigerians. “A law that is not regularly reviewed will lose its effectiveness,” he said. “Our aim is to ensure a system that delivers justice that is quick, fair, and credible.”
Legal experts at the meeting agreed that despite the achievements of the ACJA, weaknesses remain. Some trials in Nigeria still take years to complete. Defendants often spend long periods in pretrial detention, while victims wait too long for justice.
Civil society groups have also pushed for reforms, saying delays in court cases weaken public trust in the justice system. Many Nigerians believe that justice often favors the rich and powerful while leaving the poor behind.
The review process, according to Fagbemi, will focus on removing loopholes that cause unnecessary adjournments, limiting abuse of court processes, and making sure both defendants and victims are treated fairly.
The Attorney-General stressed that the reform will also embrace modern technology to make trials more efficient. Virtual hearings, digital case tracking, and electronic evidence handling are some of the tools being considered.
Nigeria has seen a growing number of complex crimes, including cybercrime, terrorism, and organized financial fraud. These cases require new legal frameworks to handle evidence and speed up prosecution. Stakeholders believe updating the ACJA will help Nigeria respond better to these challenges.
Judges, prosecutors, defense lawyers, and police representatives at the meeting expressed support for the review. They noted that while the ACJA was a step forward when it was introduced, the justice system must continue to evolve.
One participant, a senior Lagos-based lawyer, said the reforms could reduce prison congestion caused by prolonged trials. “Thousands of people are in custody waiting for trial. A faster system will free the innocent and punish the guilty without delay,” he said.
Nigeria’s prisons are overcrowded, with many inmates held for years without conviction. Human rights groups have described the situation as a crisis. Reforming the ACJA is seen as one of the solutions to this problem.
Fagbemi urged lawmakers, civil society, and legal professionals to work together during the review process. He said the government alone cannot achieve lasting reform. “This is a collective effort,” he said. “Everyone has a role to play in building a justice system that Nigerians can trust.”
Observers say the review of the ACJA could be a turning point for Nigeria’s legal system if it is carried out with transparency and full input from the public. If successful, it could speed up trials, reduce corruption, and restore confidence in the courts.
The next steps include drafting proposed amendments and presenting them to the National Assembly for debate. Lawmakers will decide which changes to approve before the revised law is passed.
For many Nigerians, the outcome of this process will determine whether justice becomes more accessible in their daily lives. A stronger criminal justice system, experts say, will also support economic growth, improve security, and strengthen democracy.
According to Nivo News, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been officially declared the winner of the Anambra State governorship election. The incumbent governor triumphed over 15 other candidates, securing a decisive victory across all 21 local government areas of the state.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Soludo maintained a commanding lead throughout the election, surpassing his closest rival, Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by a wide margin. The election, conducted in 5,720 polling units, reinforced APGA’s dominance in the state as Soludo performed strongly in both rural and urban centers, sweeping major party strongholds.
Soludo amassed a total of 422,664 votes, while Ukachukwu garnered 99,445 votes. The results from key local government areas highlighted the scale of Soludo’s victory, including Dunukofia (APGA 14,892; APC 3,284), Awka North (APGA 15,895; APC 3,661), and Anambra West (APGA 71,365; APC 16,595). Other parties, including the Labour Party (LP), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC), trailed significantly.
The election outcome cements Soludo’s position for another term in office, reflecting widespread voter support across Anambra State.
Prince Lanre Sanusi, Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, has unveiled plans to establish a library, skill acquisition centre, and elders’ recreation facilities in the town. Land for the projects has already been secured along Sixth Avenue, marking the first initiative of its kind since the local government’s inception 48 years ago.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
During a quarterly meeting with the Residents Association of Festac Town, Prince Sanusi confirmed that he has gained the support of the Lagos State government to undertake a comprehensive reconstruction of Second and Seventh Avenue roads. Meanwhile, the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) will handle the rehabilitation of First and Fourth Avenue roads to ensure durable results.
The chairman further stated that ongoing temporary repairs on inner roads would soon be replaced with full-scale rehabilitation. Residents were encouraged to submit four project proposals from each of the five communities for budget consideration and implementation.
Prince Sanusi, who has received recognition from residents, particularly transporters, for revitalizing the town, urged patience as tangible improvements continue to unfold. Streets are now being swept daily, refuse cleared, and additional environmental sanitation staff have been employed alongside the rehabilitation of the council’s refuse collection vehicle.
He also called on youths to take advantage of the current employment opportunities as a stepping stone toward broader prospects, emphasizing that his mission is to restore the dignity of Amuwo Odofin. Stressing his commitment to serving the people rather than any political party, Prince Sanusi encouraged residents to offer genuine advice and requests directly to his office.
The meeting was sponsored by Community Two.
Former Osun State Governor, Chief Bisi Akande, has stated that President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda reflects the welfarist vision pioneered by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Nigeria’s Western Region during the 20th century.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking at the Joel Babatola Maiden Lecture, organized by the Ekiti Council of Elders in Ekiti, Akande, also the Asiwaju of Ila Orangun, said Tinubu’s agenda aims to achieve self-sufficiency in food production, rapid infrastructure development—particularly in transportation and electricity—advancement of human capital in science and technology, and the fortification of national unity against what he described as indigenous retrogressive elements.
Akande emphasized that Awolowo and his associates, including Joel Babatola, had established a welfarist economy in the Western Region, which fostered patriotic engagement among Yoruba youths and loyalty to the Nigerian state. He believes that a similar model can be applied nationwide through Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring that Nigerians have opportunities to thrive within the evolving global economic landscape.
Also speaking at the lecture, Mr. Olufemi Adewumi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Joel Babatola Annual Lecture Series, explained that the board was established to recognize transformative efforts in Yorubaland and properly honor national heroes.
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