AGF, stakeholders inaugurate NWC on National Minimum Standards

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside key stakeholders converged in Abuja on Tuesday for the inauguration of the National Working Committee on National Minimum Standards for the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC). The 3-days event is organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice, in […]

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, alongside key stakeholders converged in Abuja on Tuesday for the inauguration of the National Working Committee on National Minimum Standards for the Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee (ACJMC).

The 3-days event is organised by the Federal Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the European Union-funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC II) Programme of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).

International IDEA is the implementer of the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme Phase II, is funded by the European Union.

The RoLAC II Programme aimed to among others enhance the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery in Nigeria.

According to a statement by Manager of Component 1 – Criminal Justice Reform under the RoLAC II Programme, Mr. Badejogbin Oluwatoyin, the Project he said highlighted the objectives of the event.

Deliverables from the event include: National Minimum Standards for the Implementation of ACJA, 2015; strategies for raising awareness of ACJA/ACJL among the general population; a list of key legal documents related to ACJLs for translation into various local languages and printing.

It was also designed to consolidate the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms, a key component of the programme to enhance the performance, quality, and oversight of the criminal justice system and justice service delivery acoss the Federal Capital Territory Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Edo, Kano, Lagos, and Plateau states.

At high-octane gathering, Professor Yemi Akinseye-George of the Center for Socio Legal Studies (CSLS) during his presentation harped on needs to deepen the implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJA) and the ACJLS of States among others.

In a keynote address, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN said the

Technical National Working Group Session Review and Validation of the National Minimum Standard Document for the implementation of ACJA, 2015 represented a significant milestone in the country’s quest to reform the criminal justice sector and improve the administration of criminal justice and strengthen measures that ensure access to justice.

Represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Beatrice Jessy-Agba, the minister noted that the federal government enacted the Administration of Criminal Justice Act in 2015, with a view to ensuring harmonious implementation of criminal justice reforms across the federation.

The Act according to him is expected to promote efficient management of criminal justice institutions, speedy dispensation of justice, protection of the society from crimes and protection of the rights and interest of the suspect, the defendant and victims in Nigeria.

“The adoption of the Act by States also ensures that offenders cannot move from state to state with a view to escaping justice, a term commonly known as Forum Shopping. Thus, with improved and uniform implementation of criminal justice reforms across the country, there will be no escape route for criminals, which will in turn contribute to socio-economic development in Nigeria.

“The National Minimum Standards have been developed as a tool to implement the ACJA and consolidate collaboration between stakeholders in justice delivery by ensuring that Courts, both at the federal and state level, apply similar standards in the implementation of criminal procedures and enforcement of criminal justice. It is to this end that the National Working Group on the implementation of criminal justice reform was set up.

“The National Working Group which comprises individuals and institutions of both the federal and state governments including Government Agencies, Civil Society Organisations, Lawyers and other stakeholders, was set up to facilitate cooperation and collaboration between stakeholders across the federation. The aim of setting up the National Working Group is to ensure that the National Minimum Standards for Implementation of ACJA receives input, recommendations and wide acceptance from stakeholders across board.”

Chairman Bodies of States Attorneys-General, Dr Ben Odoh, who was represented by Nassarawa AG, Labaran Shaibu Magaji described the new move as significant, capable of creating a balance, inclusive justice system that will not only safeguards rights of all parties but will also strengthen legal frameworks.

There were other speakers from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), The Nigerian Police, ICPC, EFCC, NCoS among others.

Also giving a welcome address, Director, Administration of Criminal Justice and Reform Department (ACJRD), Federal Ministry of Justice, Mrs Leticia Ayoola-Daniels said the initiative stemmed from the growing need for a unified framework that would address the persistent gaps in the implementation of the ACJA and ACJLs across the country.

She identified court congestion, unavailability of data, delayed trials and a lack of uniformity in criminal justice processe as challenges, assuring that finalizing the document will go a long way.

In his own remarks, RoLAC representatives at the event, Mr Peter Omenka stressed that the entity will continue to consolidate on the rule of law and anti-corruption reforms in Nigeria.

“RoLAC is ready to support the process, create awareness in such a way that the documents is translated into different languages”.