National Assembly urged to pass ACJA Amendment Bill
The National Assembly has been urged to expedite action on the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) Amendment Bill, which has been pending before it since 2023,
The National Assembly has been urged to expedite action on the passage of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) Amendment Bill, which has been pending before it since 2023, as a way of fast-tracking needed reforms in the nation’s criminal justice system.
The call was made in Abuja at the ongoing two-day training workshop for stakeholders in the criminal justice sector, organised by the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), with support from the European Union (EU) and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
The event, tagged Training of Trainers Workshop on the National Minimum Standards (NMS) for the Effective Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Laws across the 36 states, is being attended by magistrates, state counsel, and private legal practitioners, among others, drawn from across the country.
President of CSLS, Prof Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), stressed the need for the National Assembly to do all within its powers to pass the ACJA Amendment Bill, which has been before it since 2023.
He explained that the proposed amendments contained in the bill are meant to address major gaps identified in the ACJA since its enactment in 2015.
He noted that the workshop is both timely and essential, coming a few days after the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), publicly presented the NMS document.
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Prof. Akinseye-George said the NMS provides a clear and practical framework to guide implementation by ensuring consistency, accountability, and measurable progress across the justice sector.
He added: “The Administration of Criminal Justice framework represents one of the most significant reforms in the country’s justice system, aimed at promoting efficiency, safeguarding the rights of all persons, and ensuring that justice is not only done, but done promptly and fairly.
“However, the true impact of these reforms depends not just on the law itself, but on how well it is understood, applied, and sustained in practice.
“This workshop is designed to deepen your understanding of these standards, equip you with effective training methodologies, and strengthen your capacity to drive reform at scale.
“As trainers, you occupy a critical position in this reform journey. You are not just participants; you are multipliers.
“The knowledge, skills, and insights you gain here will be transmitted to countless others within your institutions and jurisdictions. In essence, you are the bridge between policy and practice.”
Some participants, including the Chairman of the Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mrs Onome Nwankwo (Anambra State Judiciary), Oluwatosin Oshadare (Lagos State Judiciary), and Umar Yakubu (Kano State), expressed delight at the opportunity to participate in the training.
They commended the organisers and expressed optimism about the positive impact the training would have on the nation’s criminal justice administration system.
