‘ACJA must be effectively implemented’
On the ACJA and the defects in Nigerian criminal justice system We are not under any illusion that the passage of the Act has cured the defects in the Nigerian system of criminal justice administration. Rather, we understand that there is a difference between passing a law and implementing it effectively. Unfortunately, as a people, […]
On the ACJA and the defects in Nigerian criminal justice system
We are not under any illusion that the passage of the Act has cured the defects in the Nigerian system of criminal justice administration. Rather, we understand that there is a difference between passing a law and implementing it effectively.
Unfortunately, as a people, we cannot boast of an enviable track record in the enforcement of our laws. Our statute books are replete with many well-crafted laws yearning for application. There are too many hindrances including constitution-related barriers to the effective implementation of laws.
This is the reason why after fighting tirelessly for the passage of the ACJA between the years 2003 to 2015, we have taken on the next logical task of working with our partners and the agencies to promote the understanding of its provisions and their effective implementation. This decision is based on the realization that an effective criminal justice system, capable of discouraging criminality and anti-social behavior, is a sine qua non of any modern democratic society.
Why the implementation strategy
As a people we are not very fond of effective implementation of laws and the ACJA is meant to avoid this problem, hence the employment of the implementation strategy.
Why a Draft strategy document
It cannot be over-emphasized that the Draft strategy document is an outcome of the collaborative efforts of the CSLS and several other justice sector stakeholders. These include the judiciary, federal ministry of justice, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Prison service, Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, National Human Rights Commission, National Agency for the prohibition of trafficking in persons, EFCC and others.
Who and why they got awards
Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN- for being the first State Attorney-General who championed far-reaching reforms in the justice sector. This includes being the first State to pass the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2007, and a revised version in 2011. He and his team made Lagos State a pacesetter in developing the justice sector.
Chief Akin Olujimi SAN, AGF 2003-2005- for being the first AGF to initiate the idea of overhauling the criminal procedure system and empanelling the National Working Group on the reform of Criminal Justice Administration to develop the ACJ Bill in 2003.
Justice Ishaq Bello, Chief Judge , FCT, High Court- for serving meritoriously as the Chairman of the Panel on implementation of Justice Reform (PIJR) which later revived the ACJ Bill in 2011, updated and expanded it to its present form and worked with various stakeholders to get it enacted by the National Assembly.
Senator Umaru Dahiru, former Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human rights and legal matters for sponsoring the Bill in the 7th Senate.
Dr. Ali Ahmed, former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Justice- for sponsoring the Bill in the House of Representatives and personally coordinating the legislative work that led to the passage of the Bill.
Barrister Chinonye Obiagwu, National Coordinator, Legal Defence and Assistance Project (LEDAP) for being the Chairman of the National Working Group that developed the first draft of the ACJ Bill in 2003 and for being the foremost champion of the ACJ reform at both federal and State levels.